Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Jacksonville) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of theImmaculate Conception |
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| Location | 121 E. Duval St. Jacksonville, Florida |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Basilica/Parish |
| Founded | 1845 |
| Dedication | Immaculate Conception |
| Dedicated | December 8, 1910 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | M. H. Hubbard |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1907–1910 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | Two |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | St. Augustine |
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a very old and important Catholic church in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. It is the oldest Catholic church group in Jacksonville. The building you see today was finished in 1910. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1992. In 2013, it was given the special title of a minor basilica. You can find it at 121 East Duval Street. Its current pastor is Father Nick Bennett.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The church community started around 1845. It began as a mission from a Catholic church in Georgia. The very first church building was ready by 1847.
Early Buildings and Challenges
In 1854, Immaculate Conception became its own parish. But the first building was destroyed by Union soldiers during the American Civil War.
After the war, a second church building was planned. This was after Jacksonville became part of the new Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine in 1870. The second church was finished in 1874. However, this building was also destroyed. It burned down in the Great Fire of 1901, which destroyed most of downtown Jacksonville.
Building the Current Church
The church building that stands today was designed in 1905. The architect was M. H. Hubbard. He also designed the Bethel Baptist Institutional Church. Construction started in 1907. The church was finished and dedicated on December 8, 1910.
This building is a great example of Late Gothic Revival architecture. It is considered one of the best examples in Florida. It has a cross-shaped floor plan. You can see pointed arches and fancy designs called tracery on the windows. It also has buttresses (supports) and pinnacles (small towers).
The church has tall spires and a high vault inside. Its steeple is about 178.5 feet (54.4 meters) tall. A gold cross sits on top of the steeple. For three years, this steeple was the tallest point in Jacksonville. It was only surpassed in 1913 by the Heard National Bank Building.
Special Recognitions
In 1979, the church received a "solemn dedication." This means the building cannot be purposely torn down. It also cannot be used for anything other than a church.
On December 30, 1992, the church was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical places.
Starting in 2005, the church asked to be named a minor basilica. This is a special title given by the Catholic Church. The request was made again in 2013 by Bishop Felipe de Jesús Estévez. The church received this special title on August 15, 2013.
See also
In Spanish: 