Sioux Falls Cathedral Says Goodbye To Iconic Pipe Organ

A legendary piece of Sioux Falls is heading south to Texas!

Chances are, if you've lived in the Sioux Empire for any length of time, you've probably been inside or at least driven by St. Joseph's Cathedral on North Duluth Avenue in Sioux Falls.

The spires on top of the cathedral are synonymous with the Sioux Falls skyline.

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A fixture inside the historic Sioux Falls church is about to hit the road, en route to a new church being constructed in the Houston, Texas area.

Dakota News Now is reporting that the pipe organ that could be found inside St. Joe's Cathedral for the past 30 years will soon be on its way to the Lone Star State.

Crews have been busy recently, carefully dismantling the massive instrument so it can be reassembled and reinstalled in the new Texas church.

Construction crews told Dakota News Now, disassembling the organ has been a painstaking project up to this point. The crew has had to work very carefully not to damage any portion of the legendary pipe organ.

Jared Osterman, music director at St. Joseph's Cathedral, told Dakota News Now, "It's been the Cathedral's hope that they would be able to find a new home for the old pipe organ."

Fortunately, their prayers were answered. Folks at the Grace Woodlands Church in Houston caught word that St. Joe's in Sioux Falls was in the process of getting a new organ themselves, and they were more than happy to give the old historic pipe organ a new home.

Meanwhile, here in Sioux Falls, both the St. Joseph's staff and its parishioners are very excited to hear their new instrument once the brand new organ gets installed sometime in late October.

Source: Dakota News Now

Iconic Sioux Falls: Phillips Avenue Diner, a Downtown Gem

I'll never forget the best malt I ever had. It was many years ago at a new restaurant in Sioux Falls. The restaurant was housed in a silver Airstream trailer on Louise Avenue and was called The Market Diner. The malt was so creamy and I think it was probably the first time I'd ever had whipped cream on top of a malt.

The Market Diner was a unique '50s-style dining experience with neon signs, classic vinyl booths, stainless steel counter stools, and even a jukebox.

That was over 20 years ago. The Market Diner became Dixie Brothers Grill and eventually closed.

A few years later, the trailer was moved to a downtown location on Phillips Avenue, extensively remodeled and renamed Phillips Avenue Diner. The malts have not changed, nor has the diner ambiance.

POSE: Phillips Avenue Diner is South Dakota's Most Instagrammed Restaurant

My niece Ashlea and I ventured downtown and had lunch at Phillips Avenue Diner. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites. It's diner classics turned up a notch.

The breakfast menu includes omelets, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, and of course waffles. Recently, Phillips Avenue Diner's waffles were named the best in South Dakota according to Food Network.

Ashlea had the Ranch Burger and it came topped with bacon, onion rings, American cheese, and BBQ sauce. She substituted sweet potato fries.

My selection was the Burger of Champions. You can substitute a chicken breast for any burger, so I had mine with chicken, Applewood bacon, ham, and American cheese. It also comes with a hard-fried egg on top, but I chose to hold that.

Eat local. Some of the best food and atmosphere can be found at local, non-national chain restaurants. Try Phillips Avenue Diner at 121 S. Phillips Avenue and explore downtown Sioux Falls while you're at it.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral to Bid Farewell To Its Beloved Pipe Organ

Iconic Sioux Falls: Phillips Avenue Diner, a Downtown Gem