Catedral Santiago Apóstol (Fajardo, Puerto Rico) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Church Santiago Apóstol of Fajardo
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Puerto Rico
Location	Town Plaza Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Architect	Don Pedro A. Beibal
MPS	Historic Churches of Puerto Rico TR
NRHP reference No.	84003144
Added to NRHP	September 18, 1984

The Catedral Santiago Apóstol, or in English, the Cathedral of St. James the Apostle, or Santiago Apóstol of Fajardo is a Catholic cathedral located on the town plaza in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Along with Concatedral Dulce Nombre de Jesus in Humacao it is the seat of the Diocese of Fajardo-Humacao. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Church Santiago Apóstol of Fajardo in 1984.

History

The parish was established in 1766 and the first church building was completed in 1776. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1867. Construction of the present church began two years later utilizing the side walls and floor tiles of the previous church. It became a cathedral church when Pope Benedict XVI established the Diocese of Fajardo-Humacao on March 11, 2008.

Architecture

The building was designed by Don Pedro A. Beibal. It is located on the north side of the town plaza and is surrounded by a balustrade concrete wall with pillars that features metal grillwork gates. A square bell tower dominates the main façade. The bells are in the third level contained within open arches. Two small windows flank the tower and define the side naves on the interior. The side facades feature a doorway and four windows. A large parish house, which was built later, blocks the back of the cathedral from view.

Simple pillars divide the main nave from the side aisles in the interior. The five pillars divide the space into six bays. The first bay includes the vestibule and features a spiral wooden staircase to the choir loft. The apse is square in shape and is crowned by a brick lanterned dome.

See also

In Spanish: Catedral de Santiago Apóstol (Fajardo) para niños