Catholic Diocese of Peoria Museums, Peoria

Since 2008, the Catholic Diocese of Peoria has hosted two museums: The Diocesan Museum and the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Museum. Both museums are open to the public and are free of charge.

The Diocesan Museum is located on the grounds of the Spalding Pastoral Center located just north of Downtown Peoria, Illinois. The Diocesan Museum takes special honor and pride in the exhibition of the rich history of the Peoria Diocese, carrying the educational mission of learning about the roots of our faith and the legacy of our previous bishops. The museum features a rotating collection of exhibits that vividly portray the history of the Diocese since its establishment in 1875.

The Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Museum is also located in the Spalding Pastoral Center. Archbishop Sheen never forgot his Peoria roots. The Diocese of Peoria are proud to host his museum on the same historic campus where he graduated from high school. The Museum is also only one block away from the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, where Sheen attended grade school, learned to serve Mass, and was ordained a priest on Sept. 20, 1919.

The Sheen Museum is maintained by the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation and is proud to display a wide variety of artifacts from the Archbishop's life which are housed in five collections. These artifacts include writings, books, photos and a selection of his vestments and Episcopal regalia, including an ornate throne donated by Sheen's family.

Both museums are open to the public daily from 9:00 am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday and are free of charge.

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