Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Denver) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception |
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 Location in Colorado
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| 39°44′25.01″N 104°58′54.98″W / 39.7402806°N 104.9819389°W | |
| Location | 401 East Colfax Avenue Denver, Colorado |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1860 |
| Consecrated | 1921 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1906 |
| Completed | 1921 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 895 |
| Number of spires | Two |
| Spire height | 221 ft (67 m) |
| Materials | Granite, Limestone |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Archdiocese of Denver |
The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a very important church in Denver, Colorado. It's the main church, called a cathedral, for the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Denver. You can find it in the central part of Denver, at the corner of Logan Street and Colfax Avenue.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Building the Cathedral
Work on the cathedral began in 1902. It was finished in 1911, costing about $500,000. The very first church service, called a Mass, happened on October 27, 1912. The church was officially made sacred, or "consecrated," in 1921.
In August 1912, lightning struck the west tower. It damaged the top 25 feet (7.6 meters). Luckily, this damage was fixed before the church opened.
Special Recognition and Visits
On Christmas Day in 1979, the cathedral was given a special title: "minor basilica." This is a high honor for a church.
In August 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral. He led a Mass there during World Youth Day. It was a very special event, as only a few cathedrals in the United States have been visited by a Pope.
In June 1997, lightning struck again, this time hitting the east tower. The church quickly repaired the tower within eight months.
Recent Events
From May 29 to June 1, 2020, the cathedral was damaged several times. This happened during protests in the area. The damage included graffiti sprayed on the building. The building was also affected by gas used by police nearby. No one inside the cathedral was hurt during these events.
In October 2021, the cathedral was damaged again with graffiti on its doors and statues. This was part of a series of similar incidents affecting many Catholic churches in Colorado.
Cathedral Architecture and Design
Building Style and Materials
The cathedral was designed by an Architect named Leon Coquard. He used a style called French Gothic. This style was inspired by a 13th-century church in France. That church was in the hometown of Bishop Nicholas Chrysostom Matz, who helped oversee the cathedral's construction.
The building is shaped like a Latin cross. It measures 195 feet (59 meters) long and 116 feet (35 meters) wide. The main part of the church, called the nave, rises 68 feet (21 meters high).
The outside of the cathedral is made from Indiana limestone and granite from Gunnison, Colorado. The main entrance has three doors and is framed by two tall spires. Each spire is 221 feet (67 meters) high.
Inside the Cathedral
Inside, many parts are made from beautiful marble. The altar, statues, and the bishop's chair are all made of Carrara marble from Italy. Other parts, like the confessionals and stairs, use Yule marble from Marble, Colorado.
The interior was carefully decorated. Instead of painted designs, the natural colors of the cream and gray marble create a beautiful look. These marble colors also make the 75 stained glass windows shine even brighter.
The stained-glass windows have more than 20,000 pieces of glass. They were made by the Royal Bavarian Art Institute in Munich, Germany. Fifty skilled artists crafted these windows. They cost $34,000 when they were made. Today, just one of these windows would cost about $500,000! This church has more leaded stained glass than almost any other church in North America.
The floor is made from special Pearl shells found in the Elbe River. These shells were mixed with other materials to create a dark green floor. This process makes the floor strong and resistant to both water and fire.
Heating and Ventilation
The cathedral has a very well-planned heating and air system. It uses two large boilers for heat, which is twice what it needs. This is a safety measure in case one boiler stops working.
The ventilation system has two fans that can change speeds. These fans are so powerful that they can replace all the air in the building in just 11 minutes. This makes it one of the best-ventilated buildings around.
When it first opened, the cathedral could hold 1,000 people for services. After some changes were made, it now holds 895 people.
Cathedral Ministries
The cathedral offers many services to its community. It holds three Masses every day and six Masses on Sundays. It also provides other religious services.
Beyond religious services, the cathedral helps people in need. Each year, it provides between 50,000 and 60,000 lunches to people who are poor in the area.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción (Denver) para niños
- Julia Greeley
- List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
- Roman Catholic Marian churches
- Yule marble
