Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea (Key West, Florida) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Mary Star of the Sea
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1010 Windsor Lane Key West, Florida |
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| Built | 1905 |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Part of | Key West Historic District (ID71000245) |
| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1971 |
The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea is a special Catholic Church in Key West, Florida. A church can be named a Minor Basilica by the Pope because of its historical or religious importance. This church is part of one of the oldest Catholic communities, called parishes, in Florida. It is also the oldest parish in the Archdiocese of Miami.
Because of its long history, the church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Key West Historic District.
Contents
History of the Church
The story of this church began a very long time ago, even before the United States was a country.
Early Attempts to Start a Mission
The first Catholic missionaries in the Florida Keys were Spanish Jesuits who arrived in 1566. They tried to set up missions, which are like religious communities. However, they had to leave in 1572.
Later, in 1724, they tried again to start a mission in Key West. But it was difficult. The local Native American tribes were not always friendly, and English raiders from the Carolinas caused problems. By 1727, the missionaries returned to Cuba. In 1743, two more missionaries came from Havana to open a chapel, but they also had to leave because the Spanish governor could not protect them.
A Parish is Finally Formed
In 1851, a priest named Rev. John F. Kirby was sent to Key West. He successfully started the St. Mary Star of the Sea parish. A parish is a local church community. The first church building was opened on February 26, 1852.
It was the fifth Catholic parish created in Florida and the very first in South Florida. It was named "St. Mary Star of the Sea" because Key West is located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The name honors Our Lady, Star of the Sea, a title for Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is seen as a protector of sailors.
A New Building for a New Century
Sadly, the first church building was destroyed by a fire in 1901. While a new church was being built, people attended church services, called Mass, in a music hall.
The beautiful church that stands today was built in 1905. In 1971, it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. On February 11, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI gave the church the special title of minor basilica.
Today, the church serves a diverse community. Sunday services are held in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
Architecture and Design
The church was built in a style called Victorian, which was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This style often mixes ideas from different types of architecture.
The building has strong, rough-textured walls and beautiful rounded arches over its windows and doors. The windows have special shutters and colored glass. Inside, the design has features that look like they are from the Romanesque and early Renaissance periods of history. Behind the main altar, there is a large, colorful stained glass window showing St. Mary, Star of the Sea.
Education and Schools
In 1868, five nuns from the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary came from Montreal, Canada. They came to Key West to open a school for girls. This was the first Catholic school in all of Florida.
Over the years, the parish ran several schools:
- Convent of Mary Immaculate: A high school that operated from 1886 to 1986.
- St. Francis Xavier School: A school for Black children, open from 1872 to 1961.
- A school for Cuban girls: This school ran from 1873 to 1878.
- St. Joseph School: A school for boys, open from 1880 to 1961.
In the 1960s, all the schools were integrated, meaning students of all races began attending school together. The parish's current school is The Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea.
Fun Fact
The church is so famous that it appeared in a movie! It was featured in the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill.
See also
In Spanish: Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea para niños
- Star of the Sea Church (disambiguation)
