Six Steubenville parishes will soon be combining into one brand new cathedral, and NEWS9 has learned much more about when the new house of worship will start construction, where it will be, and what it will look like.

The new cathedral will be a 'cruciform' shaped building--which means it will look like a cross from an ariel view.

It will be called Triumph of the Cross Cathedral, and the $8.4 million project will soon become the place of worship to nearly 2,000 Steubenville families.

"What's going on now is an attempt to reinvigorate a lot of the ministry of our parishes," said Father Tim McGuire, the future pastor of the new cathedral.

Six of eight Steubenville parishes will close their doors when the new cathedral opens. Construction will begin this spring, and the new home for worship is planned to stand between Steubenville Catholic Central and Holy Rosary Elementary.

"When anybody who walks into this new church, from one of the closing parishes, they'll recognize some of the elements of what has been their home for so many years," said McGuire.

Things like windows, bells, and icons will all come from the closing parishes.

Father McGuire said bringing all six parishes together into one isn't just because of financial concerns.

"It's not just a question of combining resources so we save money. That's not the big picture. the big picture is our schools, all of our ministry, so we can better serve the people," said McGuire.

The new building is expected to open in September of 2008. The doors to the other six parishes will close, and a dedication service for the new church will begin.

Some of cost will be covered by the Steubenville Diocese, another portion will come from the new congregation, and half of it will be raised through the Capital Campaign--which launches Thursday.

Jackie Cain, NEWS9