Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Denver)

Cathedral Basilica of the
Immaculate Conception
39°44′25.01″N 104°58′54.98″W / 39.7402806°N 104.9819389°W / 39.7402806; -104.9819389
Location 401 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, Colorado
Country United States
Denomination Roman Catholic Church
Website www.denvercathedral.org
History
Founded 1860
Consecrated 1921
Architecture
Style Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking 1902
Completed 1911
Specifications
Capacity 800
Number of spires Two
Spire height 210 ft (64 m)
Materials Granite, Limestone
Administration
Archdiocese Archdiocese of Denver
Clergy
Archbishop Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila
Rector

Msgr. Bernard Schmitz

Designated 3 March 1975
Reference no. 7500506[1]
Reference no. 5DV.111

The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Denver of the Roman Catholic Church. It is located at the corner of Logan Street and Colfax Avenue in the North Capitol Hill neighborhood of central Denver.

History

A statue of John Paul II commemorates his 1993 Mass

Construction of the cathedral started in 1902 and completed in 1911 with a final cost of approximately $500,000. The inaugural Mass was held on October 27, 1912, and consecration was in 1921. On August 7, 1912, lightning struck the west tower causing damage to the upper 25 feet (7.6 m), however this was repaired before the opening. The cathedral was raised to the status of minor basilica on Christmas 1979. On August 13 and 14 1993 (for World Youth Day), Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at the cathedral- one of only a few cathedrals in the United States so honored. In June 1997, lightning struck a second time, but this time damaged the east tower. The parish completed work to restore the tower within eight months.[2]

Architecture

Architect Leon Coquard of Detroit, designed the cathedral in the French Gothic style.[3] Its character is influenced by the 13th-century Saint Nicholas Collegiate church (collégiale Saint-Nicolas) of Munster, Moselle, France- the birthplace of Bishop Nicholas Chrysostom Matz, who supervised cathedral construction.[4]

The building is in the shape of a Latin cross measuring 195 by 116 feet (59 by 35 m) with the nave rising to 68 feet (21 m). The main façade houses three entrances and is framed by two 210-foot (64 m) spires. The structure is constructed of Indiana limestone, and granite from Gunnison, Colorado. The altar, statuary, and bishop's chair are all made of Carrara marble while other elements feature stone from Marble, Colorado; the 75 stained glass windows are from Royal Bavarian Art Institute in Munich founded by Franz Xaver Zettler. When opened, it could accommodate 1,000 worshipers, however, after alterations to comply with the directives of the Second Vatican Council, it now accommodates only 800.[3][2]

Ministries

The cathedral offers three daily and six Sunday Masses as well as other sacraments regularly. Additional services to the community include the yearly provision of 50,000 - 60,000 lunches to the poor in the area.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 "History of the Cathedral". Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  3. 1 2 "Architectural Highlights". Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  4. ↑ "Munster Denver" (in French). Nature et Patrimoine du Saulnois. Retrieved 2006-12-28.

External links

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