What Is the St. Ambrose Cathedral & Rectory?
This is the primary Catholic church of Des Moines!
What Makes It Historical?
The National Register nomination is very shady about this church, with words like “undistinguished,” “somewhat stiff,” and “not the best work of Chicago architect James Egan,” but that doesn’t mean it isn’t special in its own way! This Romanesque Revival church was built in between 1890 and 1891, the third Catholic church built in Des Moines.
What has set it apart since is its intentional and monumental design in the middle of the strictly functional buildings that rose up around it! It’s unique in that its stained glass does not show scenes from the Bible, rather historic moments in Catholicism arriving in the U.S. and Iowa! The architect, James Egan, was born in Cork, Ireland, but made a name for himself designing cathedrals across the United States! One of his hallmarks was maximizing interior space without columns!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer at St. Ambrose Cathedral!
- Donate to the St. Ambrose Cathedral!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
607 High St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Masses at St. Ambrose are held Monday through Friday at 12:10 PM, Saturdays at 4:00 PM, and Sundays at 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM!