Explore anywhere in Montana’s capital city and the Cathedral of St. Helena will remain in sight, its elegant spires and steeply pitched roof reaching high above the city skyline. Since it was opened in 1914, the structure has been the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of the city. Wander around the magnificent building to admire its Gothic-revival flourishes. Step inside to experience the splendor of its nave and stained-glass windows.
Spend some time strolling around the cathedral’s grounds, admiring the building’s ornate embellishments. The building features geometric decorations throughout its façade, giving it a fairy-tale appearance. It was designed by the architect A. O. von Herbulis, who modeled the building after the Votive Church of the Sacred Heart in Vienna, Austria. Cast your eyes up to the cathedral’s stunning twin spires, which rise 230 feet (70 meters) into the sky.
Enter the cathedral via its grand northern doors. Explore the nave, which is lit by the colorful tones of stained-glass windows. See if you can spot the story of Adam and Eve within the Bavarian-made windows as you walk through the hand-carved oak pews. Visit the white marble altar and check out the magnificent Carrara-marble statues. The sanctuary is decorated with gold leaf and the hand-forged bronze light fittings have an eye-catching lacquer finish.
Get a special insight into the church, its history, architecture and local community with a 1-hour guided tour. Tours are free but require prearrangement. Call the parish office ahead of time to organize your tour. You can also join daily Mass, which occurs at least once a day.
The cathedral is open daily, but has an earlier closing time on Sundays. It is located in historic downtown Helena and is free to enter. Add the Cathedral of St. Helena to your walking tour of the city and check out some of the stunning nearby attractions, such as the Moorish-revival Civic Center, the Montana State Capitol Building and the city’s stunning theaters.
