Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (Arecibo, Puerto Rico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arecibo Cathedral |
|
|---|---|
| Cathedral of Saint Philip the Apostle | |
|
Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol
|
|
Cathedral façade from the main plaza
|
|
 Location in Puerto Rico
|
|
| 18°28′20″N 66°42′54″W / 18.4722°N 66.7151°W | |
| Location | Arecibo Pueblo, Arecibo, Puerto Rico |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Spanish Colonial |
| Completed | 1846 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | San Juan de Puerto Rico |
| Diocese | Arecibo |
The Cathedral of St. Philip the Apostle (in Spanish, Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol) is a very important Catholic church in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. It is the main church for the Diocese of Arecibo. This means it's where the bishop of Arecibo has his official seat. The church became a cathedral in 1960.
Contents
About the Cathedral Building
The Arecibo Cathedral is the second-largest church in Puerto Rico. Only the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of San Juan is bigger. The church has a rectangular shape with three main parts inside called naves. The two side naves are shorter. This allows for large chapels on the sides. These chapels take up almost half the church's length.
Architectural Style and Features
The back part of the church, called the apse, is shaped like a half-circle. It has a special half-dome roof. The front of the church, called the facade, looks like a triangle with three levels. The very top part is a short tower in the middle. Experts believe this tower was added later.
The lowest level of the facade has Neoclassic decorations. These are used in a classic, formal way. However, the other two levels use bands and columns in a less traditional style. The windows are in a Renaissance style. This is not very common in churches in Puerto Rico. But having a central tower over the entrance is a common design on the island.
History of the Cathedral
The first church in Arecibo was built a long time ago. It was built sometime between 1556, when the Spanish settled Arecibo, and 1616. That's when the town of Arecibo was officially founded. The very first church building was finished in the mid-1600s. Sadly, an earthquake in 1787 destroyed it.
Building the Current Cathedral
The cathedral you see today is dedicated to Saint Philip the Apostle. It was built in different stages. Construction started in the late 1700s and finished in 1846. Building took a long time because of damage from hurricanes and earthquakes.
Just four days after the church was officially opened in 1846, another earthquake seriously damaged it. Repairs were not finished until 1882. This was seven years after yet another earthquake hit Puerto Rico in 1875. The 1918 earthquake caused even more damage. The vaulted ceiling was so badly broken that it had to be replaced. A flat concrete roof was put in its place. A new ceiling made of composition board was then placed inside to make it look like a vault.
Becoming a Cathedral
The church became a cathedral on April 30, 1960. This happened when the Diocese of Arecibo was created. The cathedral is also recognized for its historical importance. It was added to the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones. It was also one of 31 churches in Puerto Rico listed as part of the Inventory of Historic Churches of Puerto Rico.
Images for kids
-
Cathedral facade in 1965
-
Cathedral rear in 2017
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (Arecibo) para niños
