Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of Our Lady |
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| Basilica Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception | |
Southwest view of the basilica
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 Basilica of Our Lady
Location in Southern Ontario
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| 43°32′35.3″N 80°15′4.2″W / 43.543139°N 80.251167°W | |
| Location | Guelph, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | basilicaofourlady.com |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | 1883 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Minor basilica |
| Heritage designation | National Historic Site of Canada |
| Designated | 1990 |
| Architect(s) | Joseph Connolly |
| Architectural type | Norman-Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Wellington |
| Diocese | Hamilton |
| Province | Toronto |
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is a beautiful and important Roman Catholic church in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It's also known as the Basilica of Our Lady. This amazing building was built between 1876 and 1888. It was designed by a famous architect named Joseph Connolly. Many people think it's his best work! The church has detailed carvings and colorful stained glass windows made by skilled artists. It's one of the 122 churches in the Diocese of Hamilton and serves about 2,600 families.
In 1990, the church was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada, which means it's a very important place in Canadian history. Later, in 2014, Pope Francis gave it the special title of a "basilica."
History of the Basilica
When John Galt founded the city of Guelph in 1827, he set aside the highest point in the town for Roman Catholics. He did this as a gift to his friend, Bishop Alexander Macdonell. A road leading to this hill was even named Macdonell Street after the Bishop.
According to old records, John Galt once wrote that a church would one day stand on this hill that would "rival St. Peter's in Rome."
The Basilica of Our Lady is actually the third church to be built on this important spot. The first church was a wooden one called St. Patrick's. It was built by 1835 and was the first building in Guelph to be painted inside and out. Sadly, it burned down in 1844.
Soon after, construction began on St. Bartholomew's Church. This new building was finished in 1846. A stone at the church's base said it was built "in honour of the blessed Apostle Bartholomew," after the first church was destroyed by fire.
The current church, the Basilica of Our Lady, started being built in 1877. It was designed by an Irish-Canadian architect named Joseph Connolly. He had designed many churches in places like Ireland, England, and Ontario. His design for this church was inspired by the grand medieval cathedrals of France.
The church is built from local limestone. It is in a style called High Victorian Gothic Revival. This style uses pointed arches, tall windows, and detailed carvings. The church has two tall towers, a large round "rose window," and an inside design with chapels that spread out from the main altar area.
A famous Guelph artist named Matthew Bell created some of the carvings inside and outside the church. Sadly, he died in 1883 from injuries he got while working on the building. In 1888, about twelve years after building started, the church was dedicated to Our Lady Immaculate.
The two tall towers, which are over 200 feet high, were not finished until 1926. The complete church stands at the end of MacDonell Street. It creates a very impressive view, much like another church Connolly designed in Toronto.
In 1958, a new entrance was added to the church from Macdonell Street. But other than that, the outside of the church has looked much the same since 1926. The entire building project took more than 50 years! This makes it one of the longest construction projects in Guelph's history. The church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1988.
Big repair work on the church began in 2007 and finished in 2014. This project cost over $12 million. The work included fixing the towers, roof, windows, and doors. The inside of the church was also updated with new lights, flooring, and pews. A new altar, baptismal font, and pulpit were added. The basement hall was also renovated.
On December 8, 2019, Pope Francis gave a special permission for the statue of Mary in the basilica to receive a "canonical crowning." This special ceremony took place on October 1, 2022.
Church Design
The Basilica of Our Lady is designed in a style called French Gothic Revival. This means it looks like the grand cathedrals built in France many centuries ago.
Some of its key features include:
- A cross-shaped floor plan with side aisles and a main area called a "nave."
- Two tall towers at the front.
- A large, round "rose window" with beautiful stone patterns.
- Many tall, pointed windows with colorful stained glass.
- The inside has tall arches, columns, and vaulted ceilings.
- It has very detailed wood and stone carvings.
- The church is known for its excellent sound quality.
The church is built on top of a hill, so it can be seen from many parts of the city.
City Rules for Views
The city of Guelph has special rules called "protected view areas." These rules make sure that people can always see the Church of Our Lady from different spots in downtown Guelph. This means that new buildings or towers built in the downtown area cannot block the view of the church. Also, no new buildings in Guelph are allowed to be taller than the church.
However, a new parking garage built in 2019 does block some views of the church from certain areas downtown.
See also
In Spanish: Basílica de Nuestra Señora Inmaculada (Guelph) para niños
