If you think of all cathedrals as grand ornate buildings which are always open to the public, you may be dissapointed with the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque, Iowa. It was an impressive structure, and just a couple of blocks up the street from our hotel, but when we walked up to see it the Cathedral was locked up tight. A sign beside the door said that prospective visitors could make an appointment, but it wasn't high enough on our priority list for that.
This is an active parish, mother church of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Masses are held once daily and three times on Sunday. It is the oldest Christian church of any denomination in Iowa.
Although we couldn't go inside we did enjoy looking at the cathedral grounds. There is an interesting piece of sculputre in a small garden across the street from and in front of the cathedral.
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