[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 138 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY 
                            ROSARY CATHEDRAL

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2015

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial 
anniversary of Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in 
Toledo, Ohio. The parish and Toledo Diocese celebrated this milestone 
on August 28, 2015.
  According to diocesan records, the Cathedral Chapel Parish was 
established on March 7, 1915, with the Most Reverend Bishop Joseph 
Schrembs named as pastor. Previous to that date, from the time the 
Diocese was established in April of 1910, St. Francis de Sales Church 
served as the cathedral. Shortly thereafter, land was purchased nearby 
on Collingwood Avenue and a Chancery, residence and school were built 
on the property in the ensuing years with completion in early 1915. 
Originally sponsoring both grade school and high school, the parish 
school soon grew too big. In 1920, Central Catholic High School was 
established, with most of its students coming from the Cathedral 
School.
  After a storm delivered substantial damage to the building in 1920, 
it was determined a new church would be built. The plans were developed 
in 1922. Its original architect and the man who would complete his 
design envisioned a cathedral such as those built in Europe's Middle 
Ages and mirrored aspects of the cathedral in Toledo, Ohio's sister 
city of Toledo, Spain. Thus, Toledo's Catholic Cathedral is unique: 
there is no other cathedral in the Plateresque style quite like 
Toledo's. Plateresque is a romantic style developed in 16th Century 
Spain and Toledo's cathedral combined the Plateresque style with 
Romanesque and Saracan architecture for a structure that stands alone 
in style and beauty.
  The Cathedral is truly an architectural wonder and treasure. Soaring 
above its Spanish style roof are twin towers Peter and Paul. Our Lady 
is carved out of a single block of limestone and is above the doorway. 
A window above the statue of Our Lady illustrates scenes from her life. 
The window was made possible by the pennies donated from the children 
in the Diocese. Other statuary depicting biblical scenes surround. The 
sanctuary features beautiful frescoes, murals and mosaics depicting 
stories and people from the Bible, the life of the Holy Family and the 
history of the church. The Cathedral is home to a grand pipe organ 
which was the culmination of the career of its creator, the famed 
Ernest Skinner. The pipe organ's sister resides in the Peristyle 
concert hall at the Toledo Museum of Art, home of the Toledo Symphony.
  The Cathedral's cornerstone was laid on Sunday June 27, 1926. 
Sufficiently completed to begin services, the building was opened in 
1931. Work on the structure continued until completion in 1940. A 
joyous two day celebration and consecration was finally held on October 
1 and 2, 1940.
  The Cathedral parish and school grew through the 1960s, but as 
Toledo's population moved to the suburbs and new parishes were 
established, the central city Cathedral parish and school saw a decline 
in families enrolled. Beginning in 1976, the Cathedral was to undergo 
extensive renovations to comply with the changes to the Mass brought by 
Vatican II. The renovations did not detract from the original design 
and the church was rededicated on September 18, 1979. In 2000, 
restoration was completed to remove the decades from the interior of 
the church and restore it to its early brilliance.
  The spiritual home of Toledo area Catholics, the cathedral serves as 
the mother church of the Diocese's parishes. Though its home parish is 
smaller now, Catholics from throughout the city and its suburbs see the 
Cathedral as their own, celebrating Baptisms, First Communions, 
Confirmations, Marriages and Requiem Masses. Priests are ordained at 
the Cathedral and special Masses are celebrated through the year. In 
tradition harkening back to the days they were part of the original 
parish school, the students of Central Catholic High School walk in 
procession for a yearly Mass.
  Though soaring vaulted ceilings, beautiful works of art, statuary, 
bell towers, giant wood doors and marble floors and ancient pews on 
which thousands have gathered over the years to celebrate Mass make the 
Cathedral a grand and glorious house of worship, at the same time it is 
intimate and peaceful. The faithful can always hear that ``still, small 
voice'' even among the grandeur. More important than the structure, 
though, are the people. We reflect on the early founders, those whose 
hopes, dreams and labors brought forth our stunning Cathedral, and in 
the present day we stand in solidarity with them. I was pleased to join 
in the celebration recognizing 100 years of faith in Our Lady Queen of 
the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral. Through our cherished Cathedral, we are 
one.

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