Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (Arecibo, Puerto Rico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol |
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Front of the Cathedral and plaza
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 Location in Puerto Rico
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| 18°28′20″N 66°42′54″W / 18.4722°N 66.7151°W | |
| Location | Arecibo, Puerto Rico |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Spanish Colonial |
| Completed | 1846 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Arecibo |
The Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol, or in English, the Cathedral of St. Philip the Apostle, is a large Catholic cathedral located in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. It is the main church for the Diocese of Arecibo. This means it's where the local bishop has his special seat.
Contents
A Look Back: The Cathedral's Story
Building a Special Place
The story of the Cathedral of Saint Philip the Apostle began a long time ago. The very first church on this spot was built in the mid-1600s. But sadly, a big earthquake in 1787 destroyed it.
People quickly started building a new church. Construction began soon after the earthquake. However, it took many years to finish. The new church was not completed until 1846.
Dealing with Earthquakes
Just four days after the new church was dedicated, another earthquake hit. This earthquake seriously damaged the building. Repairs took a long time, finally finishing in 1882.
Then, in 1918, another strong earthquake caused more damage. The main arched roof, called a vault, was so badly damaged that it had to be replaced. Workers put in a flat concrete roof instead. Inside, a false arched ceiling made of composition board was added to make it look like the original vault.
Design and Features
The Cathedral of Arecibo is the second-largest church in Puerto Rico. Only the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is bigger.
The church has a rectangular shape. It has three main sections inside, called naves. The side naves are shorter to make room for large chapels. These chapels take up almost half the length of the church. The back part of the church, called the apse, is shaped like a half-circle. It has an unusual half-dome covering it.
The front of the church, called the facade, has a triangular design with three levels. The very top part, a short central tower, was added later. This is what local architects and historians believe. The lowest level has Neoclassic decorations. The other two levels use bands and columns in a less traditional way. The windows are in a Renaissance style, which is not common in Puerto Rican churches. However, having a central tower over the entrance is a common design on the island.
Becoming a Cathedral
The church became a cathedral in 1960. This happened when the Diocese of Arecibo was officially created. A diocese is a special area managed by a bishop.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (Arecibo) para niños
- List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
- Catholic Church in the United States
