[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 110 (Friday, July 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 165TH ANNIVERSARY OF ``THE OLD CATHEDRAL,'' SS. PETER & 
                PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, IN ALTON, ILLINOIS

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                             HON. MIKE BOST

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 1, 2022

  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 165th 
anniversary of ``The Old Cathedral,'' SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 
in Alton, Illinois. The church, completed in 1857, remains a beautiful 
example of Gothic architecture in the Metro East region. On January 9, 
1857, the Diocese Episcopal See was transferred to Alton from Quincy, 
and the Most Reverend Henry Damien Junker became Alton's first bishop. 
The Most Reverend Peter Baltes succeeded him in 1870, followed by the 
third and final Bishop of Alton, the Most Reverend James Ryan, in 1886. 
Below the church are the tombs of the first two bishops of the Diocese 
of Alton. During its life as the Diocese Cathedral, our country was 
torn apart at the seams by Civil War, was reunited, and then grew into 
a global power. We celebrated the St. Louis World's Fair, saw our dirt 
roads paved over, and had our lives changed by revolutionary 
inventions. In 2015, the SS. Peter & Paul Parish had a beautiful 
carillon installed in the bell tower to beckon all to come and worship. 
Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 165th anniversary of 
``The Old Cathedral,'' SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, and 
celebrating its many contributions to Alton and the surrounding 
communities.

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