Basilica of St. Peter (Columbia, South Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of St. Peter |
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The Basilica of St. Peter in 2009
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| Location | 1529 Assembly Street Columbia, South Carolina |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Basilica |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | NRHP |
| Designated | 1989 |
| Architect(s) | Frank Pierce Milburn |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | July 19, 1874 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 131 ft (40 m) |
| Width | 79 ft (24.1 m) |
| Nave width | 64 ft (19.5 m) |
| Spire height | 163 ft (49.7 m) |
| Materials | Dark red brick with Bedford stone and terra cotta trim |
| Tenor bell weight | 3,500 lb (1,591 kg) |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Diocese of Charleston |
The Basilica of St. Peter, also called St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, is a very important church in Columbia, South Carolina. It's the second building for the oldest Catholic community in Columbia. In 2018, the Vatican gave it a special title: 'Minor Basilica'. This was a big deal because it made St. Peter's the very first basilica in all of South Carolina!
Contents
History of St. Peter's Church
The First Church Building
The story of St. Peter's in Columbia began in 1820. That's when the first Catholic priest came to live in the city. The first church building for St. Peter's was finished in 1824. A famous architect from South Carolina, Robert Mills, designed it. This original church was later taken down in the early 1900s. It was removed to make space for the bigger, new church you see today.
Building the Current Church
The current church building was designed by Frank Pierce Milburn. He was a well-known architect from the Southern United States. A priest named Father Thomas J. Hegarty worked hard to plan and raise money for the new church. Construction started in 1906 and was completed just two years later, in 1908. The church was officially dedicated in January 1909.
Architecture and Design
What the Church Looks Like
The Basilica of St. Peter is built in the Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like old European cathedrals. It's made of dark red brick. It also has special trim made from Bedford limestone and shiny terra cotta. The roof is made of Buckingham Slate.
Key Features of the Building
The church has a tall spire that reaches 163 feet (about 50 meters) into the sky. A cross sits at the very top of the spire. The church's layout is shaped like a cross, which is called a cruciform plan. It has a high nave, which is the main part of the church where people sit. The church is 131 feet (40 meters) long and 79 feet (24.1 meters) wide. The nave itself is 64 feet (19.5 meters) long and 51 feet (15.6 meters) tall.
The Church Bell
Inside the church, there's a large bell. It weighs about 3,500 pounds (1,591 kg) and is 55 inches (1.4 meters) across. This bell was made in 1911 by the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Maryland.
Historical Recognition
This church is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This list helps protect important historical places across the country. Behind the church, there is also a graveyard.
