The pupils' names
The clay roof tiles came from a campaign by Father Rambo with the pupils of the schools. The donation lists were left on the wall behind the high altar, under the plaster.
Santa Cruz do Sul · Seat of the Diocese
Welcome to the Cathedral
Whether you live here or are passing through, the doors are open.
Built by the community between 1928 and 1939, facing Praça Getúlio Vargas. Its doors open for Mass, for baptism and for anyone who simply needs silence.
Embrace the Cathedral
59,67% of the restoration completed by July 2026
Since 2023, the restoration has reached the interior. As in 1928 and 1996, the work moves forward with many hands: families, businesses, charity lunches and dinners, and the City.
R$ 3.565 million invested out of the R$ 6.2 million planned. Figures from the Restoration Committee, July 2026.
- Doors
- Choir loft: staircase and painting
- Baptismal font
- New lighting (December 2025)
Next stage
Painting the nave and the sanctuary
Then come the sacristy, the sacred art, and washing and waterproofing the outer walls. Each stage starts when the funds arrive.
In the plans: an elevator in one of the towers, a museum and tower visits.
On February 5, 2028, the foundation stone turns one hundred. 452 days to go.
A word from Fr. Rodrigo
The parish priest of the Cathedral invites the community to embrace the restoration.
We have to set an example for our children and grandchildren. It is a legacy.
Your business embraces the Cathedral
In 1997, about 160 shops took part in the Cathedral Bonus campaign for the restoration. Today the image of the Cathedral appears in more than 200 advertisements in the city, according to the parish. Your company can be part of this chapter.
Sacraments
Baptism, marriage and confirmation
Start with the parish WhatsApp. The virtual assistant, an automated service, answers your first questions and passes your request on to the parish office or to the priest.
- BaptismHow to schedule
To welcome your child into the community of faith. Dates, preparation and documents.
- MarriageDocuments and dates
To say yes before God and the community. Booking the Cathedral and the marriage preparation course.
- ConfirmationClasses and registration
To confirm the faith received in baptism. The parish office has the class schedule and registration dates.
Also on WhatsApp: Mass intentions, for health, in thanksgiving or for the deceased, and a conversation with a priest, for counsel, a blessing or a visit.
Mass times
Mass times
At the Cathedral. Changes for the week appear here first.
- Mon11/09Mass6:15 PM
- TueToday11/10Mass6:15 PM
- Wed11/11Mass6:15 PM
- Thu11/12Mass6:15 PM
- Fri11/13Mass6:15 PM
- Sat11/14Mass5:00 PM7:00 PM
- Sun11/15Mass8:00 AM9:00 AM10:00 AM6:00 PM
For confession and the parish office, contact the parish on WhatsApp or at Rua Marechal Deodoro, 670.
In the Cathedral
The community gathered
Families, young people and those passing through gather around the same altar, in the nave the community built nearly a hundred years ago.
The Cathedral
A church raised by its own people
From the first chapel, begun in 1855, to the families who sustain the restoration today, the Cathedral has always been the work of many hands.
- 1855A chapel in the colony
- 1927The people choose their church
- 1937The towers touch the sky
- 1959The church becomes a cathedralThe Cathedral in 1972
- TodayEmbrace the Cathedral
The work of many hands
- The cost of the first stage, paid by the community
- 865 contos
- Bricks bought for the towers in 1936
- 170,000
- The height of the towers, finished at the end of 1937
- 80 m
- Ordained at the first celebration, in 1936, five of them from Santa Cruz
- 7 priests
Read the chapter
Packed, and without pews
At the first celebration, the church had no pews yet. And it was packed.
A silent Christmas
On Christmas Eve, the new church opened its doors. It was the time of the Estado Novo regime: a silent procession, a Mass in Latin without singing and a sermon in Portuguese.
The Cathedral seems to kneel before the infinite.
Events
Happening at the Cathedral
- 11NovGrupo de Oração Renovação Carismática
Wednesday · 08:00 PM
Catedral São João Batista, capela do Santíssimo
Meeting - 12Nov
- 12Nov
Patron saint's feast
Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Our patron saint's feast
We celebrate the birth of the one who prepared the way of the Lord. It was on his day, June 24, 1863, that the first parish church of Santa Cruz opened its doors.
June 24, 2027 · Mass of the Nativity and the Feast of St. John the Baptist · times and venue to be confirmed
226 days to go until the patron saint's feast.
Calendar
Dates we celebrate every year
In 5 days · November 15 · A igreja se torna Catedral · A Matriz passou a ser a Catedral da Diocese de Santa Cruz do Sul em 1959. · 67 years
Add to Google Calendar- February 5Pedra fundamental da CatedralA comunidade lançou a pedra fundamental da Catedral em 1928.
- June 24Natividade de São João BatistaA festa do nosso padroeiro.
- August 29Martírio de São João BatistaMemória do martírio do nosso padroeiro.
- November 15A igreja se torna CatedralA Matriz passou a ser a Catedral da Diocese de Santa Cruz do Sul em 1959.
- December 24Inauguração da igrejaA igreja foi inaugurada na véspera de Natal de 1939.
News
Parish life
The restoration, the groups and the feast: what the community is preparing.
November 5, 2026
Começa a preparação da festa do padroeiro
A comunidade já se organiza para a Natividade de São João Batista, em 24 de junho. Voluntários são bem-vindos nas equipes da festa.
November 1, 2026
Inscrições abertas para a crisma
Jovens e adultos que desejam confirmar a fé recebida no batismo já podem procurar a secretaria para conhecer as turmas.
October 27, 2026
Restauro da Catedral passa da metade
O relatório de julho da Comissão de Restauro mostra 59,67% da obra executada. A pintura da nave segue por etapas, sem fechar a igreja.
Visit
Visit the Cathedral
When you go in, look for
- The 1874 crucifix
Made of wood, it came from São Leopoldo.
- The stained glass
At the base of each one, the name of the person who donated it.
- The high altar
In Carrara marble, from 1939.
- The main door
In laurel wood, carved by Jacob Koehler.
- The rose window
At the center of the façade, above the portal.
Before you come
Praça Getúlio Vargas, downtown Santa Cruz do Sul. Parish office at Rua Marechal Deodoro, 670, CEP 96810-062.
We ask for silence during services. The towers are not open to the public.
Church open: Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. until the end of the 6:15 p.m. Mass; Saturday, from 11:30 a.m.; Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. until the end of the 6 p.m. Mass
Tithing and volunteering
Be part of it
Tithe
The tithe is a gesture of gratitude and sharing: part of what we receive goes back to the house we all share, so that its doors stay open. You choose the amount and the day and, if you like, you get one reminder a month on WhatsApp, with the Pix key. It is just a reminder, and you can stop whenever you like.
Paths
From the doors to the towers
Clergy
Who looks after the Cathedral
The first parish priest of Santa Cruz was appointed in 1860. Since November 15, 1959, when Alberto Etges, a native of Santa Cruz, took office as the first bishop, the Cathedral has been the church of the Bishop of Santa Cruz do Sul.
Diocesan bishop
Dom Itacir Brassiani, MSF
Cathedral comes from cathedra, the bishop's chair. The chair of the Diocese of Santa Cruz do Sul is in this church.
@domitacir.msf
Pastor
Pe. Rodrigo Eduardo Hillesheim
He accompanies the life of the parish: the Masses, the sacraments and the ministries.
@rodrigoehillesheimAlso caring for the Cathedral
Marlene Swarovsky, chair of the board of administration · Paulo Roberto Habekost, chair of the Restoration Committee
Before them
Father José Stür, parish priest from 1863 to 1870 · Bishop Alberto Etges, first bishop, 1959 · Father Orlando Pretto, who in 1989 asked for the survey that started the restoration · Who built the Cathedral
Contact
Contact the parish
- Phone(51) 3711-3622[to be confirmed]
- E-mailcatedralsjbatista01@gmail.com
- Parish officeRua Marechal Deodoro, 670
- AddressPraça Getúlio Vargas, Centro, Santa Cruz do Sul, 96810-062Directions
For someone who is ill (anointing of the sick), contact the parish office or WhatsApp.
FAQ
Questions from newcomers
Didn't find your answer? The parish's virtual assistant, an automated service, replies on WhatsApp.
What are the Mass times?
At the Cathedral, Monday to Friday at 6:15 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The communities have their own times, and changes for the week appear first in the schedule on this site.
Can I come in just to pray?
Yes. The doors open for Mass, for baptism and for anyone who simply needs silence. Opening hours are under “Visit the Cathedral”.
How do I arrange a baptism?
Start with the parish WhatsApp. The virtual assistant, an automated service, answers your first questions about dates, preparation and documents and passes your request on to the parish office, which arranges the date with you.
Can I get married at the Cathedral?
Booking the Cathedral and the marriage preparation course are arranged with the parish office. The first contact can be through WhatsApp.
How do I request a Mass intention?
Through WhatsApp or at the parish office: for health, in thanksgiving or for the deceased.
How can I talk to a priest?
Through the parish office or on WhatsApp: the team arranges a time with the priest.
Who answers me on WhatsApp?
First, the parish's virtual assistant. It is an automated service and introduces itself as one. When a matter calls for listening, or whenever you ask, a member of the team continues the conversation during parish office hours.
Is there a set amount for the tithe?
No. You choose the amount and the day and get one reminder a month on WhatsApp, with the parish's Pix key. It is just a reminder: to stop, just reply “parar” (stop).
How can I help with the restoration?
Through the Embrace the Cathedral campaign: a Pix donation (key to be confirmed with the parish office) or contact with the Restoration Committee through the parish office, at Rua Marechal Deodoro, 670. Businesses can support it too.
Can I visit the Cathedral?
Yes. Opening hours are under “Visit the Cathedral”, and the towers are not yet open to the public. For group visits, contact the parish office.
How does the parish handle my data?
Your sign-up data is used only to welcome you as a tither or volunteer and to talk to you about it. You can ask for it to be deleted at any time.
This story continues with you
Every generation left its work and its faith here. Join as a tither, as a volunteer or both.
Sources
Photo credits
- The Cathedral and the square's fountain: caetano051068, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Façade, 2025: Alexsandroclaudino92, CC0
- The towers seen from the square: caetano051068, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Façade, 2010: Eugenio Hansen, OFS, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Baptism of Christ window: Eugenio Hansen, OFS, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Nave window: Eugenio Hansen, OFS, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Statue of St. John the Baptist: Eugenio Hansen, OFS, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Cathedral in 1972: Arquivo Nacional, Fundo Correio da Manhã, public domain
- View from Parque da Cruz: Notmagnifyingglass, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized for the website. Licenses: CC BY-SA 3.0, CC0.