Michael Roach, oversaw the construction of the new church on land donated on the outskirts of Rapid City by Katherine Wapole in memory of her husband William.

The cathedral was dedicated by Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States, on May 7, 1963.

A larger pipe organ was installed in the rear gallery of the cathedral in 1983, which reduced the seating capacity there by 100 people.

The structure is composed of reinforced concrete that is faced with Mankato stone and trimmed in Indiana limestone.

[1] The interior features a 235-foot (72 m) long nave that is lined by eighteen tall, narrow stained glass windows and it is capped by a barrel vaulted ceiling.

[5] Media related to Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Rapid City, South Dakota) at Wikimedia Commons