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 beautiful and historic Catholic Church in Key West, Florida, United States. It's one of the oldest Catholic churches in Florida. It's also the very first Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Miami area. This church is an important part of the Key West Historic District. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of St. Mary Star of the Sea
The Church's Early Beginnings
The first Catholics in the Florida Keys were Spanish Jesuits. They arrived on Upper Matecumbe Key in 1566. Later, in 1724, they tried to build a church in Key West. However, they faced challenges and had to return to Cuba.
In 1743, two Italian Jesuits from Havana opened a small chapel in Key West. This chapel was for the Native peoples living there. But the Spanish governor asked them to leave for their safety.
Establishing the Parish
In 1851, a priest named Rev. John F. Kirby came to Key West. He was sent by Bishop Francis Xavier Gartland. Father Kirby started the St. Mary Star of the Sea parish in 1851.
The first permanent Catholic church in Key West opened on February 26, 1852. It was located at Duval and Eaton Streets. This was the fifth Catholic parish in Florida. It was also the first in South Florida. The church was named after Our Lady, Star of the Sea. This name was chosen because Key West is between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Building the Current Church
The original church building was destroyed by a fire in 1901. While a new church was being built, services were held in the convent music hall. The church building you see today was finished in 1905.
For 72 years, American Jesuits served the parish. In 1970, the Rev. Charles Zinn became the new pastor. In 1971, St. Mary Star of the Sea Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a historically important building.
On February 11, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI gave the church a special title. It was raised to a minor basilica. Today, Sunday services are held in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
Architecture of the Basilica
The outside of the church shows a mix of styles. It has elements of Victorian architecture from America. You can also see parts of an early Renaissance Revival style.
Look for the rough-textured walls and rounded arches. The windows have special lunettes with gothic arches. They also have louvered shutters and colored glass. Inside, you'll find designs from both Romanesque and early Renaissance periods. Behind the altar, there is a beautiful stained glass window. It shows the church's patroness, Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
Education at the Church
Early Catholic Schools
In 1868, five Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary arrived from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They came to open a school for girls and a convent. This was the very first Catholic school in Florida.
The sisters bought the land for the current school in 1874. Over the years, they ran several schools:
- Convent of Mary Immaculate (later Mary Immaculate High School) from 1886 to 1986.
- St. Francis Xavier School for Black children from 1872 to 1961.
- A school for Cuban girls from 1873 to 1878.
- St. Joseph School for boys from 1880 to 1961.
The Basilica School Today
The Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea is the parish school today. It was started in 1959. It combined the former St. Joseph's School and St. Francis Xavier's School. All the schools became integrated in the 1960s. This means students of all races could attend together.
In 1983, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary finished their service in Key West. They had served the community for 115 years.
Fun Fact
The church appeared in the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill.
See also
In Spanish: Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea para niños
