stained glass windows

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Cathedral of the Plains in Victoria, Kansas with Zeb the Duck

We are on another road trip.   I just love road trips.   Driving through Kansas on I-70 we saw a sign for Cathedral of the Plains.   So, of course, we had to see it.

Cathedral of the Plains

This church is beautiful, and big.   This church is not a seat for a bishop, so it really is not a Cathedral.  In February 2014, the church was declared a minor Basilica.  The first Basilica in Kansas and the 78th Basicila in the United States.   But it is still called Cathedral of the Plains by many people.   We liked the carved Bible verses in front of the church.

Scripture

This Basilica is 220 feet long, 110 feet wide with two towers, each 141 feet tall.   From the other side, we can see an additional area for church use.

Basilica of the Plains

The exterior of the Basicila is made from native limesone blocks.   We admired this exterior, but I want to see the inside.

St. Fidelis Church in Victoria, Kansas

We are getting closer, and mom said we can go inside.

Interior of Cathedral of the Plains

Wow!   Isn’t this beautiful?   The ceiling is 44 feet above ground.

Altar of Italian marble

This altar is made from Italian marble.   Along both sides of the church there are beautiful stained glass windows.

One of many stained glass windows

I love these big windows.   The sun shines through the glass in a perfect way.   From the altar, let’s look to the doors and the choir loft.

Looking back to choir loft and circular stained glass window

Isn’t that circular window beautiful?  Don’t you just love to visit huge, beautiful churches?  I do.  Construction on this church began in 1908 and was completed in 1911.   The community had outgrown three previous churches.   The first 23 pioneer families arrived here April 8, 1876.   These pioneers were Volga-Germans.   As more pioneers arrived, the town flourished and this church was built.   Across from the Basilica, we admired this statue, a tribute to the early pioneers.

Tribute to pioneer families

Victoria, Kansas is a small town that is proud of its history.   I, Zeb the Duck, hope you visit St. Fidelis Church, commonly known as the Cathedral of the Plains.   It is just a few miles from the highway and I think you will love it.

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Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

I, Zeb the Duck, went inside the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.   This is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Denver of the Roman Catholic Church.   And it is beautiful!   Mom did not take this first photo.   It was a free download from the internet.

Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado

Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado

This is the only photo she did not take and later you will see why this is not hers.   This cathedral opened in 1911.   It is beautiful.   It is 195 feet by 116 feet with a 68 foot vaulted ceiling.

Beautiful inside

Beautiful inside

In the vestibule we admired the baptismal font, which has the original communion rail around it.

Baptismal Font

Baptismal Font

Entering the cathedral, there are confessionals on each side.

Confessional

Confessional

We loved this Christmas tree.

Christmas is coming soon.

Christmas is coming soon.

Along the side are the Stations of the Cross.

Station of the Cross

VIII Station of the Cross

The craftsmanship is wonderful.

IX Station of the Cross

IX Station of the Cross

The foundation is of Gunnison granite (from Gunnison, Colorado).   The finest Carrara marble from Italy was used for altars, pedestals, pulpit and other items.   However, much of the interior structural marble is from Marble, Colorado.   The pride of this building, however, must be the 75 windows.  According to the website for the Basilica, this is more windows than any other church of any denomination in the United States.   These are considered some of the finest windows in the world.   They were crafted in Munich, Germany at the Royal Bavarian Art Institute.   Just look at these windows.  p1020151

The Calming of a Storm at Sea

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The Visitation    Luke 1:39-45

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The Immaculate Conception, West Transept Window

The choir loft features a massive pipe organ, but the loft is only open to the performing musicians.

Choir loft with pipe organ and a beautiful window

Choir loft with pipe organ and a beautiful window

Outside in the garden area, these statues are also beautiful.

Statues in the garden. Through renovation fence

Statues in the garden. Through renovation fence

Statue in the garden. Through construction fence

Statue in the garden. Through construction fence

When Pope John Paul II visited the United States in August, 1993, he celebrated Mass at the Cathedral as part of the World Youth Day celebration in Denver.   We showed you the photo of the exterior of the Cathedral.   However, restoration is now taking place, so these are our photos.

This side still looks good

This side still looks good

I, Zeb the Duck, was inside, but often in churches mom keeps me in my travel bag.   People were arriving for the 12:15 Mass.   This is the other side of the Basilica, showing construction and restoration in progress.

Under renovation now

Under restoration now

You can see, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is just a couple blocks from Denver’s capitol building.   If you are in the area, we think you would love to see this beautiful building and the fabulous windows.