Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Lewiston, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul |
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Basilique Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul
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The Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul, as seen from the front.
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| 44°5′53.376″N 70°12′44.2296″W / 44.09816000°N 70.212286000°W | |
| Location | 27 Bartlett St., Lewiston, Maine |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Dedicated | October 23, 1938 |
| Consecrated | October 4, 2004 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Noel Coumont & Timothy G. O'Connell |
| Style | Gothic |
| Completed | July 18, 1936 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 2,200 |
| Length | 316 feet (96 m) |
| Width | 110 feet (34 m) |
| Height | 167 feet (51 m) |
| Number of spires | 8 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Prince of Peace |
The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (in French: Basilique Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul) is a very important church in Lewiston, Maine. It is also known as Ss. Peter and Paul Church. This church is part of the Roman Catholic Church and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.
Contents
History of the Basilica
In the mid-1800s, many French Canadians moved to Lewiston, Maine. They came to work in the local textile factories. These new residents were Roman Catholic and spoke French. This meant they needed a priest who could speak French too.
At first, church services, called Masses, were held in the basement of Saint Joseph's Church. Soon, over 1,000 people were attending! Because so many people spoke French, the Masses moved to the main part of Saint John's Church in July 1870.
By 1871, even Saint John's was too small. So, in 1872, the first stone, called a cornerstone, was laid for a new church named Saint Peter's. The first Mass there was held in 1873.
In 1881, a group of priests called the Dominican Fathers from France and Quebec took over running the church. In 1899, they started calling the church S. Pierre S. Paul de Lewiston, Maine. This was the first time both Saint Peter and Saint Paul were mentioned together for the church's name.
In 1902, the parish (the church community) was divided. This created a new church called Saint Louis across the river in Auburn, Maine.
Even after the split, by 1905, the church had almost 10,000 members! The old church building had to be taken down. The basement of the new, much larger church was finished in 1906.
The Diocese of Portland asked the parish to split again in 1907 and 1923. This created new churches like Saint Mary's, Holy Cross, and Holy Family. Each time the parish divided, money saved to build the top part of the church was also divided. This delayed the building's completion.
Finally, in 1933, the Diocese allowed the parish to build the upper part of the church. The main construction was finished on July 18, 1936. The church was officially dedicated on October 23, 1938, to its namesakes, Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
On July 14, 1983, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was recognized for being the second-largest church in New England. In 1986, the Dominicans gave the church's management back to the Diocese of Portland.
From 1991 to 2002, the upper church underwent a big renovation project. A new altar was dedicated in 2002. The chapel located under the church was also renovated from 2002 to 2007. It reopened just in time for Mardi Gras and Lent.
In 2015, news reports shared that this church was one of the few places in Maine that still offered a Mass in French. Many French-speaking Roman Catholic immigrants from central Africa have helped keep the French-language Mass going.
Church Organs
The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul has two large pipe organs. Both were made by a company called Casavant Frères and were dedicated in 1938. One organ, called Opus 1587, is above the sanctuary (the area around the altar). The other, Opus 1588, is in the gallery (a balcony area). Both organs work using electricity and air pressure.
Sanctuary Organ Details
This organ is located at the front of the church. You can see some of its pipes. It has 2 keyboards (called manuals), 3 sections, 10 different sounds (stops), 28 ways to combine sounds (registers), 10 sets of pipes (ranks), and 737 individual pipes. The keyboards have 61 notes, and the foot pedals have 32 notes.
Gallery Organ Details
This organ is much larger. It has 4 keyboards, 5 sections, 53 different sounds, 62 ways to combine sounds, 66 sets of pipes, and a total of 4,622 pipes! The keyboards have 61 notes, and the foot pedals have 32 notes. This organ is the largest church organ in all of Maine.
See also
In Spanish: Basílica de San Pedro y San Pablo (Lewiston) para niños
- Diocese of Portland
- Basilicas in the United States
Images for kids
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Side view of the Basilica
