First Cathedral of Saint Paul (Minnesota)
| Cathedral of Saint Paul | |
|---|---|
| Chapel of Saint Paul | |
The chapel c. 1851 | |
Cathedral of Saint Paul | |
| 44°56′43″N 93°05′22″W / 44.9453°N 93.0894°W | |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Sui iuris church | Latin Church |
| History | |
| Founder | Lucien Galtier |
| Consecrated | November 1, 1841 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Demolished |
| Years built | 1841 |
| Construction cost | $65 ($2,516 in 2025) |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 20 ft (6.1 m) (later 38 ft (12 m)) |
| Width | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Materials | Red and white oak logs |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop | Joseph Crétin |
The Chapel of Saint Paul, which later served as the first Cathedral of Saint Paul, was a log chapel built on the bluffs of the Mississippi River in 1841 by Lucien Galtier. From June 1851 to December 1851, it served as the first cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Saint Paul. Before it was eventually dismantled, it also alternatingly served as a chapel, school, and a hospital for the Sisters of St. Joseph. While the building only stood for around two decades, it left a lasting impact as the eponym of the capital city of Minnesota, Saint Paul.