This photo from the diocesan archives shows some of the estimated 1,150 people who were in attendance for the dedication of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 14, 1928

In February 1927, Bishop James A. Griffin raised nearly $1 million to build the proposed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He wanted the cathedral dedication to be the highlight of the diocese's diamond jubilee planned for October 1928. That left 18 months to build and decorate the four buildings that comprised the cathedral complex. On May 21, 1927, Bishop Griffin announced that the Math Rouen Company of Chicago had been contracted to build the cathedral. With little time to waste, work began two days later.

People often gathered to watch the progress. Louis De Marco, 90, of Springfield remembers watching the construction of the cathedral as a child from the Franklin Life building across the street. One Sunday De Marco found the site empty and decided to explore. He crept toward the building, expecting that a guard would find him any moment and kick him out. He wandered inside the building and was able to see into the basement, where he found a large number of columns cut in half. Afraid that he would be caught, he left before he could explore much more.

In early February 1928 Bishop Griffin wrote to an acquaintance that the work was behind schedule, but he was hopeful that it would be completed by October. He said that from his office a block away he could see men putting on the copper roof. The heat was scheduled to be turned on the following week to allow for work on the interior to continue despite the cold. The project was indeed ambitious, but the cathedral was completed in time for the diamond jubilee celebrations.

The Cathedral dedication started at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 1928 with a farewell Mass at the old cathedral. After Mass, there was a parade that started at the old cathedral on Monroe and Seventh and wound its way along Jefferson to Sixth Street to the new cathedral. A variety of Catholic societies and organizations participated in the parade, including the Knights of Columbus, Dominican convent girls, St. John's hospital nurses, Boy Scouts from Quincy and the Quincy College band. Priests of the diocese and visiting dignitaries joined the parade as it progressed along the route. As the rear of the procession reached the Cathedral, its chimes played Adeste Fidelis as flowers were dropped from an airplane flying overhead.

The bishop and other dignitaries filed into the Cathedral to say Mass for the 1,150 people in attendance. It is estimated that 20,000 people attended the dedication, but the Cathedral could not accommodate everyone so altars were set up on the lawn and visiting bishops said field Masses outdoors. The Mass being said in the Cathedral was broadcast outside with the aid of loudspeakers that had been attached to the exterior of the building. The Mass and dedication was also broadcast on WCBS radio from the St. Nicholas Hotel for those who were unable to attend the dedication. After the dedication Mass, priests and visiting dignitaries attended a banquet at the Knights of Columbus building, where they dined on guinea hen and Virginia ham. The Cathedral was opened for those who had been unable to attend the Mass and at 7:30 that evening the Cathedral hosted a musical program that included a recital of the new carillon.

The celebrations were a fitting tribute for the magnificent new Cathedral. For 80 years the Cathedral has served as a testament to the dedication and cooperation of the men and women of the diocese who made it possible to build the Cathedral. The current restoration campaign allows us the opportunity to do the same for future generations.

Michele Levandoski is the archivist for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.