Cathedral on the Prairie

This was a stunning church, definitely on a "list to visit" for stunning buildings in South Dakota, (commenting here on my lunch hour). The community is to be complimented on the excellent condition of this church!

The lighting in this church made shooting a challenge, that and the fact that I only have about an hour to shoot it every time I go by, (business trips). Gotta take the lighting the way it is.

In no particular order, other churches to visit include the church in Dimok SD, as well as the church in St. Francis, (I seem to get to visit the rural churches a lot more than the ones in the larger cities). I hope you all enjoy.

Dakotadanno@yahoo.com

Thanks, Dan! Hope you can make it to the "Cathedral on the Prairie" on Dec. 6 for our 12th Christmas on the Prairie concert. The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra will be there, as will Northern State University's Chamber Choir, and the ever-appreciated All-Faiths Festival Choir. Also a couple fantastic men soloists. No better sounds anywhere. Call 605-948-2451 for ticket information.

If ever one doubts the power of faith, remember this magnificent church. What else could motivate a small town to build it? What else could enable a small town to maintain it? God bless the people of Hoven!

My Father in law Ron Meier was the care taker of this church for many years. It is breath taking!

Because of a wrong turn we ended up near Hoven,ND. Noticing the name “Cathedral on the Prairie” on the map, we continued on to check it out.
Magnificent is the only word that I can use. I look forward to going back for a service someday.
This cathedral serves as a tribute and statement about the faith and dedication of this community. At a time when people had little, suffering thru the Great Depression. This community dedicated themselves to their Lord and built this magnificent place that all should know of their belief and faith.
If you’re ever near - take that turn and witness a very moving tribute to strong people and their faith.

My great aunts pictures are in the beginning of the book inside the door. They were nuns. My great grandparents are both buried right behind the church.
I really need to come up there!
So beautiful!!

Nice story about this magnificent church, however the back story is not all that wonderful. I was born in Hoven in 1948, as were my parents and grandparents. My parents left Hoven for Aberdeen, SD when I was two years old. Although it's true that Monsignor Anthony Helmbrecht was responsible for initiating the construction of this church, it came at a cost. According to my dad, that cost was funding and payment by the local farmers and the 500-700 residents living in the town of Hoven. This was a time of The Great Depression in the US and yeas just following the Great Depression. Most of the farmers and likely most of the townspeople had very little money and were doing well to hang onto their farms. My dad told me that his dad and many other farmers did not agree to paying for this wonderful, but overly extravagant for such a small community. Dad called Monsignor Helmbrecht a tyrant who seemed to care little about the expense imposed on the congregation and would intimidate and berate locals who fell behind in their expected contribution, publicly and in the church records.