Basilica of St. Paul (Daytona Beach, Florida) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of St. Paul |
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 Location in Florida
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| 29°13′03″N 81°01′37″W / 29.2175°N 81.0270°W | |
| Location | 317 Mullally Street Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1881 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Gerald A. Barry |
| Style | Mission Revival |
| Completed | 1927 |
| Construction cost | $250,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,150 |
| Length | 181 feet (55 m) |
| Width | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Number of domes | One |
| Dome height (outer) | 123 feet (37 m) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Orlando |
The Basilica of St. Paul is a special Catholic Church building. It is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, in the United States. This church is also a regular parish church for the Diocese of Orlando. It is called a "minor basilica" because the Pope gave it this special title.
Contents
History of St. Paul's Church
The first Catholic people arrived in Daytona Beach in 1881. Priests from DeLand would visit a few times a year. They held church services in people's homes.
Early Days and First Church Building
In 1886, Daytona Beach became a "mission" of St. Teresa Church. This meant it was a smaller church area connected to a bigger one in Titusville. From then on, services were held every Sunday. They took place in the local opera house or the armory.
The first priest to live in Daytona Beach was Rev. John F. O’Boyle. He arrived in 1895. He bought land and built the first St. Paul's church in 1898.
Building the Current Basilica
Rev. William J. Mullally came to Daytona Beach in 1923. He had big plans to build a new church and a school. The school opened in 1925. It was the only Catholic school on Florida's East Coast between St. Augustine and West Palm Beach at that time.
The current church building was finished in 1927. It cost about $250,000 to build. The dome (also called a cupola) and the cross on top of the building were added in 2006. They replaced the old ones that were damaged by hurricanes in 2004.
Becoming a Minor Basilica
On January 20, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI gave St. Paul's church a special honor. He declared it a "minor basilica." This means it's a church of historical or spiritual importance. Bishop Thomas G. Wenski officially celebrated this new status later that year.
Architecture and Design
The Basilica of St. Paul was designed by Gerald A. Barry. He was an architect from Chicago. The building is in the Mission Revival style. This style often features elements like stucco walls, red tile roofs, and arches.
Special Features of the Building
When it was built, the Basilica of St. Paul was the tallest building on the mainland. It was also one of the first buildings in the area to have central heating and air-conditioning. This was very modern for its time.
Above the altar inside the church, there is a beautiful fresco. A fresco is a painting done on wet plaster. This fresco shows the conversion of St. Paul.
