The Cathedral of St. Columba Parish History THIS IMPRESSIVE STATUE OF SAINT COLUMBA greets visitors to the Cathedral. Sculpted from four blocks of Mankato stone by Joseph M.LeLauro, an art professor from Detroit, the 11-foot high statue depicts the Irish missionary saint whose 1,400th anniversary is also being celebrated in 1997. Because the earliest Catholics in the Mahoning Valley were Irish immigrants, the famous Irish saint was selected as their patron. Milestone Dates 1826 Mass is offered for the first time in Youngtown. 1847 St. Columba Parish is organized. Cleveland becomes a diocese. 1853 The first St. Columba Church opens. 1860 The first parochial school is established. 1868 The second St. Columba Church is completed. 1871 The first St. Columba School is built. 1897 The third St. Columba Church opens for worship. A new convent for Ursuline Nuns is opened. 1903 Bishop Ignatius Horstmann consecrates the thrid St. Columba church. 1927 Copper spires are added to the church. 1940 The old brick church is torn down. 1943 (June2) St. Columba's becomes the cathedral for new Youngstown Diocese. The Most Rev. James A. McFadden is installed as first bishop. 1949 Bishop Emmet M. Walsh is installed as coadjutor of diocese. 1952 The new parish school opens behind the cathedral. 1954 (September 2) The Cathedral is destroyed by fire. 1958 The new cathedral is completed, becoming the fourth St. Columba Church. 1964 The first Mass in English is celebrated. 1968 Bishop James W. Malone is installed as third bishop of Youngstown. 1972 St. Columba School is closed, converted to chancery offices in 1973. 1996 Bishop Thomas J. Tobin is installed as fourth bishop of Youngstown. 1997 (June) The Parish celebrates its 150th anniversary. 2007 Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. is installed as fifth Bishop of Youngstown

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