Michael Brooks
The Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, has a rich history of Catholicism, with the first sermon in Omaha preached by an English Methodist, Peter Cooper, in 1854. The Catholic Church in Omaha has grown significantly since then, with the establishment of parishes, missions, schools, and social services. As of 2017, the Archdiocese of Omaha served over 230,000 Catholics in approximately 120 parishes and missions, with the number estimated to be nearly 240,000 in 2022. The Catholic community in Omaha has been an integral part of the city's growth and development, with the first Catholic missionary, Father Peter De Smet, arriving in Nebraska in the 1830s and the dedication of St. Philomena's Cathedral in 1856. The Archdiocese of Omaha continues to be a vibrant and active community, with the ordination of new priests and the involvement of thousands of Catholics in events like the Nebraska Walk for Life.
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What You'll Learn
The Archdiocese of Omaha has over 230,000 Catholics
The Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, has a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century. In 1854, the first sermon in Omaha was preached by an English Methodist named Peter Cooper, attracting sixteen attendees, most of whom resided in the neighbouring Council Bluffs. Within six months, Omaha had its own Methodist circuit rider, and other denominations soon followed, including Baptists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, and Roman Catholics.
The Catholic presence in Omaha grew, and in 1856, they dedicated St. Philomena's Cathedral. The Creighton family was notable for their support of the Catholic Church during this early period. In 1859, the Diocese of Omaha was established, with Bishop James M. O'Gorman serving as the first bishop. By 1874, upon Bishop O'Gorman's death, the diocese had grown significantly, with 19 priests, 20 parishes, nearly 60 missions, several convents, a Catholic hospital, and almost 12,000 Catholics.
Over time, the Diocese of Omaha continued to expand and thrive. In 1945, Pope Pius XII elevated it to the status of an archdiocese, demonstrating its importance and growth. As of 2017, the Archdiocese of Omaha served over 230,000 Catholics across approximately 120 parishes and missions. It encompasses 23 counties in northeast Nebraska, including Boyd, Holt, Merrick, Nance, Boone, Antelope, Knox, Pierce, Madison, Platte, Colfax, Stanton, Wayne, Cedar, Dixon, Dakota, Thurston, Cuming, Dodge, Burt, Washington, Douglas, and Sarpy.
The Archdiocese of Omaha continues to be a vibrant and active community, with new priests being ordained as recently as June 2025 at St. Cecilia Cathedral, the current cathedral church of the archdiocese. The current archbishop, Michael George McGovern, was installed in May 2025, and under his leadership, the archdiocese continues to serve the spiritual needs of the Catholic community in Omaha and the surrounding areas.
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St. Cecilia Cathedral is the mother church of Omaha
St. Cecilia Cathedral, located at 701 North 40th Street in Midtown Omaha, is the mother church of the city. It is one of Omaha's most recognisable historic landmarks, with its distinctive Spanish Renaissance Revival style architecture. The cathedral was designed by Omaha-based architect Thomas Rogers Kimball, who intended for it to be one of the first cathedrals in the United States to strictly adhere to Old Country conventions. The construction of St. Cecilia Cathedral began in 1905, and the cornerstone was laid in 1907. While services were held in the cathedral starting in 1916, it was not officially consecrated until 1959, upon the completion of the domed cupolas atop its soaring twin towers. The towers stand at a height of 187 feet, with the high vertical surface of the main façade imparting a perception of strength and stability.
The interior of St. Cecilia Cathedral is just as impressive as its exterior. The cathedral features a Pasi organ with 55 stops, three manuals, and pedals. Unfortunately, in 2007, a valuable painting of The Virgin Immaculata was stolen from the cathedral. Despite this setback, St. Cecilia Cathedral remains a beloved fixture in Omaha, serving as a spiritual home to many Catholics in the city and beyond.
The Archdiocese of Omaha, of which St. Cecilia Cathedral is the mother church, serves over 230,000 Catholics in approximately 120 parishes and missions across northeast Nebraska. The archdiocese encompasses 23 counties, including Boyd, Holt, Merrick, Nance, Boone, Antelope, Knox, Pierce, Madison, Platte, Colfax, Stanton, Wayne, Cedar, Dixon, Dakota, Thurston, Cuming, Dodge, Burt, Washington, Douglas, and Sarpy.
The history of the Catholic Church in Omaha dates back to the early days of the city. In 1859, Bishop James M. O'Gorman served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Omaha, which at the time comprised all of Nebraska and Wyoming. By 1874, upon Bishop O'Gorman's death, the diocese had grown significantly, with 19 priests serving nearly 12,000 Catholics in 20 parishes and 56 missions. The diocese continued to flourish under the leadership of subsequent bishops, and in 1945, it was elevated to an archdiocese by Pope Pius XII.
Today, the Archdiocese of Omaha is led by Archbishop Michael George McGovern, who was installed in 2025. The archdiocese is committed to serving the spiritual needs of its diverse Catholic population, offering Masses in multiple languages and providing a range of educational and social services through its parishes and missions. St. Cecilia Cathedral, as the mother church of the archdiocese, plays a pivotal role in this mission, welcoming people from all walks of life to experience the beauty and grandeur of its architecture and the richness of the Catholic faith.
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Omaha has had 11 bishops to date
The Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, has had 11 bishops to date. The first bishop of Omaha was James O'Connor, who was appointed in 1885. During his tenure, O'Connor introduced several religious orders to the diocese, including the Franciscan Fathers and the Poor Clares.
In 1891, Richard Scannell was named to succeed Bishop O'Connor, and he oversaw the continued growth of the diocese. In 1916, Jeremiah Harty became the bishop of Omaha, and he served until his death in 1927. During this time, Harty initially expressed scepticism about Reverend Edward J. Flanagan's establishment of Boys Town, a home for troubled boys in Nebraska, but later endorsed its goals.
In 1928, Pope Pius XI appointed Joseph Rummel as the next bishop of Omaha. Rummel went on to become the archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1935. That same year, Pius XI appointed James Ryan, rector of Catholic University in Washington, D.C., as the new bishop of Omaha.
In 1945, Bishop Ryan was named the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha. Since then, the archdiocese has been led by several archbishops, including Gerald Thomas Bergan (1947-1969), Daniel E. Sheehan (1969-1993), Elden Francis Curtiss (1993-2009), and George Joseph Lucas (2009-2025). The current archbishop, as of 2025, is Michael G. McGovern.
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The first Catholic missionary to Nebraska was Father Peter De Smet
De Smet was a Belgian-born Jesuit missionary whose efforts to Christianize and pacify Indian tribes west of the Mississippi River earned him the beloved nickname "Black Robe". He was also known as a talented diplomat, and the US government frequently called upon him to mediate between warring Indian tribes and between Indian tribes and the United States. De Smet was up to the challenge, and he zealously defended the rights of Native Americans before presidents and congressional leaders.
De Smet's work as a missionary was not without its challenges. He often struggled to keep alcohol out of the missions, as white traders and merchants quickly exploited the Indians by introducing them to the vices of the white man. Despite this, De Smet's efforts had a significant impact on the Native Americans he served. He founded several academic institutions, including the St. Regis Seminary, where he first had contact with indigenous students. He also learned about various Indian tribal customs and languages while serving as a prefect at the seminary.
De Smet was a prolific writer, and he published several works during his lifetime, including "Western Missions and Missionaries: A Series of Letters" (1863) and "New Indian Sketches" (1865). He also raised money for his missionary work by selling his writings that described the Indians and the geography of the West. In addition to his writing, De Smet travelled to Europe repeatedly to obtain funding and convince more Jesuits to migrate to his missions in the United States.
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There are two Catholic colleges in Omaha
The Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska is comprised of 23 counties and serves over 230,000 Catholics. The first Catholic missionary to visit Nebraska was Father Peter De Smet, who crossed the Missouri River to baptize two Otoe infants in 1838. In 1874, there were nearly 12,000 Catholics in Omaha, served by 19 priests across 20 parishes and 56 missions. Today, there are nearly 220,000 Catholics and 134 parishes and missions, with well over 150 permanent deacons.
In addition to these colleges, Omaha is home to the Mater Dei Seminary, the traditional Catholic seminary of the Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen. The seminary moved to Omaha from Spokane, Washington, in 2018 and has since experienced issues with accommodating its growing number of seminarians.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2017, there are more than 230,000 Catholics in Omaha, Nebraska.
Catholicism in Omaha dates back to the mid-19th century. In 1854, the first sermon in Omaha was preached by an English Methodist named Peter Cooper. Within six months, the city had a regular Methodist circuit rider. Soon after, other denominations followed, including Catholicism. In 1856, Catholics dedicated St. Philomena's Cathedral, which was supported by the Creighton family.
The Archdiocese of Omaha has over 120 parishes and missions, with nearly 200 priests and well over 150 permanent deacons.
The current Archbishop of Omaha is George Joseph Lucas, appointed in 2009.
