What Dome?

Upon researching the history of St. Benedict Church, I discovered its picture taken before 1930. Surprisingly, there was a giant dome displayed behind its magnificent towers. Since I drive by this church every day, I knew this dome was no longer part of the building. What happened to the dome of the church?

The answer to the question begins with the church’s creation. German immigrants decided to establish a parish for the city’s sizable German Catholic population. October 1864, the original building facing Ohio Street was blessed and dedicated as St. Benedict Church.

In 1872, it became apparent that a larger structure would be needed to accommodate the growing congregation. Differing opinions and insufficient funds delayed blueprint approval for over twenty years.

On October 4, 1896, the cornerstone was finally laid; eighteen months later, construction was complete. The structure stood 130 feet long and 60 feet wide. The iconic dome was topped by a statue of Saint Michael, the Archangel.

As I know from my daily drive, the dome and its angel would not last forever. At noon on July 30, 1930, disaster engulfed the church. Painters working on the dome evacuated after a fire ignited in the rafters. Firefighters rushed to the scene, but hoses were unable to shoot water into the dome to staunch the flames. Onlookers witnessed the magnificent dome become ash and the statue of Saint Michael crash into the basement. Only the sturdy outside walls of the church survived the inferno.

Parishioners decided to rebuild, despite the fact that Terre Haute was enduring the Great Depression. In less than two years, the church reopened. Unfortunately, the dome was not replaced due to the economic restraints of the congregation.

Driving by the church every day, I now understand the sacrifices people made to rebuild their church. Instead of letting it die in the Depression, the congregation eliminated their visual icon to keep their house of faith alive.