Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Natchitoches, Louisiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of the Immaculate Conception
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U.S. Historic district
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Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 145 Church St. Natchitoches, Louisiana, USA |
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| Built | 1857-c. 1900 |
| Part of | Natchitoches Historic District (ID74000928) |
| Added to NRHP | June 05, 1974 |
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a special church in Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States. It's called a "minor basilica" because the Pope gave it this important title. It's also a regular church for the Diocese of Alexandria. This church building is actually the seventh one built for this parish! Long ago, it was even the main church, or "cathedral," for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Natchitoches. It's also recognized as an important part of the Natchitoches Historic District.
History of the Basilica
The church parish started a very long time ago, in 1728. The first church was built inside Fort St. Jean Baptiste between 1729 and 1733.
A second church, named St. John the Baptist, was built by 1738. It was located near the second fort and what is now called the American Cemetery. A third church, made of stone, was built in the same spot in 1771.
The fourth church was built fourteen years later. Because the town had moved north, this church was built at what is now Front and Church Streets. A fifth church was made of brick. It was about 50 feet (15 meters) wide and 100 feet (30 meters) long. People believe it was located where the Church Street Inn is today. This church was destroyed in the big Natchitoches fire of 1838.
The sixth church was finished in the spring of 1839. This church became the first main church, or "cathedral," for the Diocese of Natchitoches. This diocese was created by Pope Pius IX in 1853.
The church building you see today was started in 1857. However, because of the American Civil War and the time of Reconstruction that followed, it wasn't fully finished until between 1900 and 1905.
The church stopped being a cathedral on August 6, 1910. This happened when the main church city was moved from Natchitoches to Alexandria. In 1974, it was listed as an important building in the Natchitoches Historic District.
Finally, Pope Benedict XVI gave the church the special title of a minor basilica on February 22, 2009.
See also
- Isle Brevelle
- List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
- Natchitoches Parish
- Anne des Cadeaux
- Cane River
- Natchitoches, Louisiana
- Louis Juchereau de St. Denis
