Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

we stopped in to see the cathedral one afternoon while in altoona. it was open, and you could stop and reflect. I like to see cathedrals. it was a fitting cathedral for a small, modest diocese. It could use more interpretive information, such as a brochure titled ‘Our cathedral’, even it’s title was hard to see (or we missed it). But, it’s a cathedral, and it’s nice, and worth a stop at least to compare and contrast with other ones. Parking was on street next to it. The bathroom was welcome as well!

Standing high over Downtown Altoona, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament remains a beacon over a struggling area. It’s the seat of the Diocese of Altoona-​Johnstown. I’ve toured this Cathedral in the past and yesterday I had to do an outreach nearby.
The Cathedral looks like one of those you’d find in Europe, but it’s newer than you think. It was begun in 1924. The cornerstone was laid in 1926, but the Cathedral construction was stopped in 1929 because of the stock market crash and the Great Depression. Masses were held in the unfinished building beginning in 1931 and the building wasn’t formally opened until 1960.
The architect was George I. Lovatt Sr. of Philadelphia. The Cathedral stands 198 feet tall from street to dome. It’s floor to dome height is 152 feet. In common with a building of this sort, it’s loaded with statuary. My personal favorites are the etched glass entrance doors. The etchings in the center represent the Last Supper. The doors on either side represent traditional symbols for the four Evangelists: Matthew, the Human Being; Luke, the Ox; Mark, the Lion; and John, the Eagle.
Check it out if you’re in downtown Altoona!