Giving the frontier settlement of “Pig’s Eye” its new saintly name, the original Cathedral of Saint Paul was a log chapel built in 1841 overlooking the Mississippi River. Two subsequent churches replaced it as the population grew. Inspired by the great cathedrals of France, Archbishop Ireland hired architect Emmanuel Masqueray to design an American masterpiece to rival them. The cornerstone of his “Great Temple on the Prairie” was laid in 1907 before a crowd of 60,000 people. Thirty stories tall and among the largest churches on the continent, it dominates the skyline even in the age of skyscrapers. The first Mass was celebrated on Palm Sunday 1915, but it took decades to decorate the interior. This fourth Cathedral was finally consecrated by Archbishop Brady in 1958. It is filled with priceless artwork reflecting the mysteries of our faith. The six apsidal chapels of the “Shrine of the Nations” honor the early immigrant groups. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, it was designated by the American bishops as the National Shrine of the Apostle Paul in 2008. Exterior restoration occurred in 2003, but the interior is still in need of major restoration after decades of water damage.