Brompton Oratory, South Dakota

There was no end to the surprises in this city, supposedly in the middle of nowhere. 

The Sioux Falls "Cathedral District" has some distinguished old houses - again, unexpected. I would have thought most of the architecture would be newish. St Joseph's Cathedral is some hundred years old and recently underwent an impressive renovation. The interior is quite glorious - it must have cost an arm and a leg but at least it looks like a church and not an in-the-round theatre or a gasworks.

Sunday Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi probably qualifies as one of my all time great American liturgical experiences. (Sadly there's not much competition).The proceedings were appropriately dignified, the choir was excellent and managed perfectly well without ladies in nighties prancing around the altar caterwauling some impossible tune and trying to get everyone to sing - sadly all too common in other places.
It reminded me a little of Brompton Oratory in London - and that's a real compliment. Hubby, being a traditionalist, said they could have included a bit more Latin but I'm sure they're working on it.
Afterwards we worked on brunch at a little downtown deli where hubby pronounced the poached eggs the best he'd ever had - now that's an even bigger compliment.
Then off to the airport with a little slice of Americana.

Thank you, surprising Sioux Falls and good luck!