Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Syracuse
Coordinates: 43°03′07″N 76°10′45″W / 43.052079°N 76.179138°W
| Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location |
927 Park Avenue Syracuse, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Sacred Heart Basilica website |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish |
| Dedicated | October 3, 1999 |
| Consecrated | June 5, 1910 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Merrick and Randall |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Sacred Heart |
| Diocese | Syracuse |
| Province | New York |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Most Rev. Robert Joseph Cunningham |
| Vicar(s) | Rev. Stanislaw Kardas |
| Rector | Rev. Andrew E. Baranski |
| Deacon(s) | Richard Galloway, James Morse, Frank Timson |
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Catholic parish church and minor basilica in Syracuse, New York. It is located at 927 Park Avenue in the Westside neighborhood. The building was designated a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II on August 27, 1998 and dedicated on October 3, 1999.
History
The church was founded in 1892 as Sacred Heart Parish in the Westside, a neighborhood with a large Polish population, after the Polish community petitioned Syracuse's bishop for a parish of its own. The original church was located across the street from the current structure.[1] The first Mass in the new parish church was said on August 30, 1892, with the formal dedication taking place nearly a year later on June 11, 1893.[1]
The congregation outgrew the first church within a decade, and a decision was made to construct a new church. The foundations were built by parishioners in order to save money, and the cornerstone was laid in 1907.[2] Work was completed in three years and the church was completed and dedicated on June 5, 1910 by Polish Auxiliary Bishop of Chichago R. Rhode DD.[2]
Following the construction of the new church building, the old church building was converted into a parochial school. That structure burned in a fire in 1916 and was replaced by a larger brick school. The new building expanded again in 1926, to accommodate the continued growth of the parish, and further community buildings were added up to the 1940s.[1] A decision was made to close the parish school in 2002 because of declining enrollment.[3]
Architecture and notable features
The cruciform building was designed by Syracuse architects Merrick and Randall, and built in stone with a marble veneer in Gothic Revival style. With a capacity of 1,200, it is 162 feet (49 m) long and 105 feet (32 m) across at its widest point. Its two spires are 212 feet (65 m) high.[2][4]
The church features a series of fine stained glass windows from Munich, the Henry Keck Stained Glass Studio in Syracuse and from St Louis.[5][6] One stained glass window depicts Polish saint Maximilian Kolbe, who died at Auschwitz.[7] It contains a 1916 Möller organ, that was recently renovated.[8] The original asphalt-shingled roof was replaced in 2009 with slate and copper, in order to ensure longevity.[9]
Elevation to basilica status
Pope John Paul II issued a Papal bull to elevate Sacred Heart to a minor basilica in 1998. The formal dedication took place on October 3, 1999, with Syracuse Bishop James Moynihan reading the Papal bull and Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Costello acting as Celebrant.[1][10]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "History". Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Catholic. New York, La Salette Shrine, National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Sisters, Saint Adalbert's Basilica, Our Lady of Knock Shrine". Catholicplaces.org. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ↑ Jim Commentucci / The Post-Standard. "Syracuse's Sacred Heart Basilica mourns Monsignor Peter Gleba". syracuse.com. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ↑ "Preservation Association of Central New York |". Pacny.net. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ↑ "Tour the historic Basilica of the Sacred Heart - Preservation Association of Central New York (Syracuse, NY)". Meetup. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ↑ Taylor, Richard (2005-07-01). "How to Read a Church: A Guide to Symbols and Images in Churches and Cathedrals". ISBN 9781587680304.
- ↑ "Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Syracuse, NY". Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ↑ "Organ renovation and new winding system | Lewtak Pipe Organ Builders Serious About Organ Building". Lewtak.com. 2011-06-01. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ↑ Central New York. "Tin knockers bring style and staying power to new roof of Sacred Heart Basilica in Syracuse". syracuse.com. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ↑ "Spotlight: Basilicas of the United States". Catholichistory.net. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
External sources
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