Basilica of St. John the Baptist facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Archdiocese of St. John's |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Minor basilica Metropolitan cathedral |
| Leadership | Archbishop Peter Hundt |
| Location | |
| Location | 200 Military Road St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1C 5M3 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Philpot Jones |
| Architectural type | Latin Cross, basilica |
| Architectural style | Lombard Romanesque |
| Completed | 1855 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | East |
| Capacity | 2,500 seated |
| Length | 85 metres (279 ft) |
| Width | 65 metres (213 ft) |
| Width (nave) | 16 metres (52 ft) |
| Height (max) | 48 metres (157 ft) |
| Materials | Irish granite & limestone Newfoundland sandstone Italian marble Egyptian travertine |
| Official name: Basilica of St. John the Baptist National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1983 |
The Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador is a very important Roman Catholic church. It is the main church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's, Newfoundland. It is also a symbol of the Catholic faith in Newfoundland. The building is part of a special area called the St. John's Ecclesiastical District. This area is a National Historic District of Canada.
Building the Basilica-Cathedral was the biggest construction project in Newfoundland's history at the time. Work began in May 1839. The cornerstone was laid in May 1841. The church was finished and officially opened on September 9, 1855. When it was completed, it was the largest church building in North America. Today, it is the second largest church in Canada, after Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal. It is also the largest cathedral church in Canada. The Basilica-Cathedral was one of the few buildings in St. John's to survive the Great Fire of 1892.
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History of the Basilica-Cathedral
This amazing church was built between 1839 and 1855. It stands on the highest hill overlooking the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The church is not built facing east or the harbour. Instead, it faces the rising sun on the shortest day of the year (Winter Solstice). It also faces the setting sun on the longest day (Summer Solstice). This is similar to how some old European cathedrals were built.
The Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is shaped like a Latin cross. It is built in the Lombard Romanesque style. This style is like the old churches found in northern Italy. Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming planned the church. He worked with architects like Ole Joergen Schmidt and John Philpot Jones. James Purcell, a stonemason from Ireland, oversaw much of the building.
Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming from Ireland watched over the construction. Later, Bishop John Thomas Mullock continued the work. The Basilica-Cathedral is special because it used materials from far away. It has limestone and granite from Galway and Dublin, Ireland. It also used 400,000 bricks from Hamburg, Germany. Local stone from St. John's and Kelly's Island was also used. This mix of materials gives the church its unique grey color.
The St. John's Basilica-Cathedral was built during a time when many churches were being constructed. This was especially true in Ireland and Newfoundland. At the time, it was the largest Irish cathedral outside of Ireland. No other building built by Irish people in North America had such strong ties to Ireland. It was also very famous around the world back then.
In 1955, Pope Pius XII gave the cathedral a special title: minor Basilica. This happened during its 100th birthday celebration. In 1983, the Basilica became a National Historic Site of Canada. This was to recognize its unique design. It was one of the first buildings in North America built in the Romanesque revival style. It also recognized its important role for Roman Catholics in Newfoundland. The building is also a Registered Heritage Structure. This means it is protected by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In July 2022, a group called the Basilica Heritage Foundation bought the Basilica. They also bought other nearby properties. The Basilica will continue to be the main Catholic church in St. John's.
Amazing Architecture
The Basilica-Cathedral is built in the Lombard Romanesque style. This style uses features often seen in churches from northern Italy. The building uses grey limestone and white granite from Ireland. It also has grey sandstone from St. John's and Kelly's Island in Newfoundland. The outside of the church is about 260 feet (79 meters) long. It is also about 220 feet (67 meters) wide. The two tall towers reach 150 feet (46 meters) high from the street.
The church can hold about 2,500 people sitting down. However, when Pope John Paul II visited in 1984, 3,600 teachers gathered inside! When it was finished in 1855, it was the largest church building in North America.
The East Tower has one very large bell. It is called the St. John Bell and weighs two tons. Bishop Mullock bought this bell in 1850. It was made by John Murphy in Dublin, Ireland. At that time, it was the largest bell ever made in Ireland. It even won a Gold Medal at an exhibition in Dublin. The West Tower has eight bells. The three biggest bells were also made by Murphy in the 1850s. The five smaller bells were made in 1906 in Dublin.
The Basilica-Cathedral has 28 stained glass windows in its upper walls. These windows were made in England and France. They were gifts from people and religious groups. They were put in place between 1859 and 1905. There are also 35 stained glass windows in the walkway around the altar. These were made in 1954-55 by Gerard Earley and Company of Dublin. This is the largest collection of Irish Arts and Crafts style stained glass windows in one building in the western world.
Inside the Basilica
The Altar of Sacrifice is at the front of the church. It holds a very important statue called The Dead Christ. This statue was carved from Carrara marble by a famous Irish sculptor, John Hogan, in 1854. Bishop Fleming wanted this statue for the Cathedral. Bishop Mullock, who came after Fleming, ordered this statue in 1854. He placed it under the High Altar in 1855. This statue is considered Hogan's best work. It is the only one of its kind outside of Ireland.
The Sacred Heart Altar and the Altar of the Immaculate Conception are near the High Altar. They are made from the same Egyptian travertine stone. This stone was used by Pope Gregory XVI to decorate a famous church in Rome. A small amount of this stone was given to Bishop Mullock. He brought it to St. John's in 1856 to finish the church's interior.
In 1955, a large pipe organ was installed. It was made by the Casavant Frères company in Quebec. This organ was dedicated to the church members who died in World War I and World War II. It has 66 stops and 4,050 pipes. It is the largest musical instrument in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is also one of the largest pipe organs east of Montreal.
Basilica Museum
The Basilica Museum is open during certain times of the year. It is located in the Episcopal Library, next to the Archbishop's Palace. The museum shows religious art and historical items from the Basilica. You can also see pictures of past bishops and archbishops of St. John's. There are also old furniture and decorations from the Palace. Both the Episcopal Library and the Archbishop's Palace are also National Historic Sites of Canada.
Burials
Important church leaders are buried in a special crypt under the High Altar:
- Archbishop of St. John's:
- Edward Patrick Roche
- Bishop of St. John's:
- Thomas Scallan
- John T. Mullock
- Thomas Joseph Power
- Michael Anthony Fleming
See also
In Spanish: Catedral basílica de San Juan Bautista (San Juan de Terranova) para niños
- Architecture of St. John's
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's, Newfoundland
