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St. Cecilia Cathedral Plaza & Garden

As he was designing St. Cecilia Cathedral, architect Thomas Rogers Kimball planned to include an extension to the west facade to create an embracing and welcoming space in response to the city’s westward expansion. Plans for the church were approved in 1904 with groundbreaking occurring in 1905. The first services were held in 1916. Kimball…

Patrick Wyman
2–3 minutes
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As he was designing St. Cecilia Cathedral, architect Thomas Rogers Kimball planned to include an extension to the west facade to create an embracing and welcoming space in response to the city’s westward expansion.

Plans for the church were approved in 1904 with groundbreaking occurring in 1905. The first services were held in 1916. Kimball having passed away in 1934 never got to see the full completion of the church which didn’t occur until 1959 when the domed cupolas atop the twin towered were completed.

Recently St. Cecilia announced that it will fulfill Kimball’s original vision by constructing an outdoor plaza and memorial garden. The $8.2M project will serve as a front porch for the community.

The plaza will consist of an outdoor space for worship, performances and gatherings. It will include a cornerstone courtyard, fountain and educational elements celebrating the impact of the Archdiocese of Omaha and St. Cecilia Cathedral Parish.

The parking lot west of 40th Street will be transformed into a landscaped garden with reflective spaces honoring the archdiocese’s legacy. Traffic calming devices will be installed to improve pedestrian safety.

I included renderings of the newly announced plaza and gardens courtesy of Leo A. Daly as well as some historic photos before the church was fully completed.

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Looking at St. Cecilia Cathedral and the parking lot that will be redeveloped on the west side of 40th Street.

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More pictures

1918 Durham Museum photograph of St. Cecilia Cathedral.
1924 Durham Museum photograph of St. Cecilia Cathedral.
1930 Durham Museum photograph of St. Cecilia Cathedral.
1947 Durham Museum photograph of St. Cecilia Cathedral.
A look at the west face of the cathedral that will be turned into the plaza.
A look at the parking lot that will be turned into the garden.

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