Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph (San Jose) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph |
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Spanish: Catedral Basílica de San José
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Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
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 Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph
Location in San Jose, California
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| 37°20′03″N 121°53′27″W / 37.334036°N 121.890816°W | |
| Location | 80 South Market Street San Jose, California |
| Country |  USA |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.stjosephcathedral.org |
| History | |
| Status | Minor Basilica, Cathedral |
| Founded | April 22, 1877 |
| Dedication | Saint Joseph |
| Dedicated | 1990 |
| Consecrated | 1803, 1877 |
| Past bishop(s) | The Most Rev. R. Pierre DuMaine The Most Rev. Patrick Joseph McGrath |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | California Historical Landmark #910 National Register of Historic Places #77000345 |
| Groundbreaking | 1876 |
| Completed | 1885 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 950 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Deanery 3 |
| Episcopal area | San José in California |
| Archdiocese | Archidioecesis Sancti Francisci |
| Diocese | Dioecesis Sancti Josephi in California |
| Province | Ecclesiastical province of San Francisco |
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is a very important Roman Catholic church in Downtown San Jose, California. It serves as the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in California. It also has a special title called a minor basilica.
This beautiful church is named after Saint Joseph. He is considered a patron saint of the Catholic Church. The city of San Jose, California is also named after him.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
The story of St. Joseph's Church began a long time ago. The very first church on this spot was built in 1803. It was called San Jose de Guadalupe. This was the first church in California built for Spanish settlers, not just for the Native Americans.
This first church was made of adobe (a type of sun-dried brick). Sadly, it was damaged by earthquakes in 1818 and 1822.
In 1835, a new, bigger adobe church started to be built. A local businessman named Antonio Suñol donated the land. He helped oversee the building of this second church. It was finished and dedicated in 1846. However, this church was also badly damaged by a strong earthquake in 1868.
Work on the third church began in 1869. But disaster struck again! This third church was destroyed by a fire in 1875. A temporary church was quickly built nearby. Meanwhile, the fifth and current church began construction.
The current church was dedicated in 1877, even though it wasn't fully finished. The grand entrance, called the portico, was completed in 1884. The large dome you see today was finished in 1885.
In 1981, a big project started to restore and update the church. It was chosen to become the main church, or cathedral, for the new Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose. In 1985, it officially became a cathedral. The restoration was completed in 1990.
In 1997, Pope John Paul II gave the cathedral the special title of a minor basilica. This means it has a special connection to the Pope.
Today, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is recognized as a California Historical Landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This shows how important it is to history and culture.
Inside the Cathedral
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
As you walk through the cathedral, you'll see many amazing stained glass windows. These windows tell stories from the Bible and show important saints. They are very colorful and let light stream into the church.
The Odell Pipe Organ
One of the most impressive features inside is the Odell pipe organ. It was built way back in 1886 in New York. What's really cool is that it's the only organ of its kind that still exists in its original condition in the United States!
This massive organ has 40,000 parts and 27 sets of 60 pipes each. It was carefully restored between 1987 and 1990. It makes incredible music during church services.
Gallery
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Looking from the baptismal font towards the altar.
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A view of the south side of the church from the altar.
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The main part of the church, called the nave, seen from the altar. You can see the baptismal font and the organ above it.
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The altar area, with the special chair for the bishop behind it.
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Another view of the altar, from the north side of the church.
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The beautiful inside of the large dome above the center of the church.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral basílica de San José (San José) para niños
