Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine facts for kids
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Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | St. Augustine, Florida, USA |
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| Built | 1793–1797 |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial and Renaissance Revival |
| Part of | St. Augustine Town Plan Historic District (ID70000847) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000844 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | 15 April 1970 |
| Designated NHL | 15 April 1970 |
| Designated NHLDCP | 15 April 1970 |
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is a very old and important church in St. Augustine, Florida. It's the main church for the Catholic Bishop in the area. This beautiful building was finished in 1797. It became a special U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1970. The church community here started in 1565. This makes it the oldest Christian group in the USA.
Contents
A Long History of Faith
In the 1560s, Spain was exploring Florida. They started a settlement called St. Augustine. This became the oldest European town in the United States. Spanish settlers quickly built a Catholic shrine. The Catholic faith was very important to the Spanish rulers.
Early Churches and Challenges
The first church in St. Augustine was simple. It was built quickly by sailors and soldiers. But in 1586, an Englishman named Francis Drake attacked the town. The church burned down.
The colonists then built a new church. It was made of straw and palm leaves. This church quickly wore out in the humid weather. It also burned down in 1599.
In 1605, a third church was built. This one was stronger, made of timber. It lasted for 95 years. But in 1702, it burned down again. This happened during an English attack on the city.
For over 90 years, there was no main church. Priests held services in the local hospital. This space was too small for everyone.
Rebuilding and New Beginnings
From 1763 to 1784, Great Britain ruled Florida. Church rebuilding was put on hold. When Spain got the colony back in 1784, people felt proud. They decided to build a grand new church.
The current church was built between 1793 and 1797. In 1870, it became a cathedral. Later, in 1976, it was named a minor basilica. This is a special title given by the Pope.
The Cathedral's Design
The outside of the cathedral looks unique. It mixes Spanish mission and Neoclassical styles.
Spanish and Neoclassical Features
Spanish mission features include:
- Curved bell gables (the top parts of the walls).
- Few windows.
- Clay roof tiles.
- A rounded area above the main door (tympanum).
- Places for statues.
- Simple walls.
Neoclassical details are around the main entrance. There's a decorative band (entablature) with patterns. It has a broken triangle shape (pediment) above it. Pairs of Doric columns support this.
Rebuilding After a Fire
On April 12, 1887, the old Spanish church caught fire again. But the strong coquina stone walls survived. Coquina is a special rock made from seashells. It was cheap and easy to use. When wet, it's soft, but it hardens in the air.
People donated money to rebuild the church. Henry Flagler was one of the donors. A New York architect, James Renwick Jr., was hired. He made the church bigger and added a European-style transept (a part that crosses the main church).
Renwick also designed a beautiful roof. It showed off the decorated wooden beams. He added a Spanish Renaissance-style bell tower. This tower has exposed bells, like older Spanish mission churches. Four bells were placed in the tower. One bell was saved from an earlier church. It has the date "1682" on it.
Gallery
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Cathedral interior
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Main Altar
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Ambo and Bishop's Cathedra, with his Coat of Arms above
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Side Chapel with mosaic
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Holy Doors for the Year of Mercy at Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine
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Catholic Heritage of Florida Plaque in Cathedral-Basilica located in narthex
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Cathedral of St. Augustine National Historic Landmark Plaque
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May 2019
See also
