TOLEDO—A new exhibit spotlighting the art of Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral also gives viewers a unique glimpse into the creation of this Toledo landmark more than 65 years ago.

“We see the beauty of the edifice standing in place, but this exhibit is going to show you how it came about, and what were some of the specific visual things that people saw as it started from the ground up,” says Father Charles Singler, cathedral rector.

Foundations of Faith: Building Toledo’s Rosary Cathedral” is on view at the Toledo Museum of Art through Jan. 20.

According to Steven Nowak, director of exhibitions and interpretive programs at the Toledo Museum of Art, “Foundations of Faith” was organized to coincide with another exhibit running through January, “Building Books: The Art of David Macaulay.”

Author and illustrator David Macaulay explores the construction of complex architectural structures in many of his award-winning children’s books. One book featured at the Toledo Museum of Art, “Cathedral,” looks at the construction of a church during the Middle Ages.

We started to think, wouldn’t it be cool if we could explore the construction of a cathedral right here in Toledo?” recalls Mr. Nowak, who is also a member of Toledo St. Patrick of Heatherdowns.

The Toledo Museum of Art selected black and white photographs from cathedral and diocesan archives to illustrate various phases of the cathedral’s construction between 1925 and 1940.

One striking image depicts the beginning of construction on the church’s familiar rose window. Another, taken during the first priest ordination at the cathedral, shows the appearance of the sanctuary before the installation of its familiar carvings and frescoes.

Fr. Singler says many of the photographs came from a private collection owned by the late Edward Neumann, a long-time parishioner of Rosary Cathedral Parish who spent years compiling research on the art and history of the cathedral. Hoping to one day publish his findings, Mr. Neumann assembled a scrapbook with photos, original announcements and newspaper clippings, and a foreword written by Bishop George J. Rehring. About a year-and-a-half ago, Mr. Neumann’s son discovered the materials and offered them to Fr. Singler.

The labels and text panels of the exhibit draw from Mr. Neumann’s research, which “really formed the basis for the interpretation of the exhibition,” says Mr. Nowak.

Other pieces in the exhibit include blueprints, architectural drawings, a crucifix from the Blessed Sacrament chapel, bronze relief panels depicting the Nativity and Way of the Cross, photographs of drawings for the exterior sculptural frieze and a pontifical set of gold-embroidered vestments used in the early days of the cathedral.

“In addition to documenting the story of the construction of the cathedral and what it took to build it, the second section of the exhibition talks about the art and how the cathedral was decorated, and how those decorations explore Catholic belief,” Mr. Nowak says.

“What I think people don’t realize is that our cathedral in Toledo works just like the medieval cathedrals in Europe,” he adds. “It uses decorations in the same way, it’s constructed in an architectural style that’s very similar, and it’s really a wonderful treasure to have.”

Liturgical items from each of the former bishops of the Diocese of Toledo are also on display, such as a ring from Bishop Karl J. Alter, a jeweled cross from Bishop John A. Donovan, and a chalice and paten belonging to Bishop James R. Hoffman.

They are just a few examples of the artwork found in the cathedral, and Fr. Singler hopes viewers will consider touring the cathedral itself after seeing the exhibit. As part of the Old West End Tour de Noel, Rosary Cathedral is offering guided tours Dec. 2 beginning at noon. The tours cease at 3 p.m. for the annual Advent Lessons and Carols service, but resume afterwards until 7 p.m.