Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Denver) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Basilica of theImmaculate 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 cathedral for the Roman Catholic Church in Denver, Colorado. It serves as the main church for the Archdiocese of Denver. You can find it at the corner of Logan Street and Colfax Avenue in the North Capitol Hill area of central Denver.
History of the Cathedral
Building this impressive cathedral started in 1902. It was finished in 1911, costing about $500,000. The first church service, called a Mass, took place on October 27, 1912. The cathedral was officially consecrated in 1921.
On August 7, 1912, lightning struck the west tower. It damaged the top 25 feet (7.6 meters) of the tower. Luckily, this damage was fixed before the cathedral officially opened.
The cathedral was given a special title, minor basilica, on Christmas Day in 1979. This title is a great honor for a church. On August 13 and 14, 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral. He celebrated Mass there during World Youth Day. This was a very special event, as only a few cathedrals in the United States have hosted a Pope.
In June 1997, lightning struck again, this time hitting the east tower. The church quickly worked to repair the tower within eight months.
In 2020 and 2021, the cathedral experienced some vandalism. In May and June 2020, the building was damaged multiple times. This included graffiti being spray-painted on the walls. In October 2021, more graffiti was sprayed on doors and statues. These incidents were part of a series of similar events affecting Catholic churches in Colorado.
Cathedral Architecture
The architect, Leon Coquard, designed the cathedral in the French Gothic style. This style is similar to old churches built in Europe. The design was inspired by a 13th-century church in France. This church was in the hometown of Bishop Nicholas Chrysostom Matz, who oversaw the cathedral's construction.
The building is shaped like a Latin cross when viewed from above. It measures 195 feet (59 meters) long and 116 feet (35 meters) wide. The main part of the church, called the nave, rises to 68 feet (21 meters) high. The front of the cathedral has three entrances. It is framed by two tall spires, each 221 feet (67 meters) high.
The cathedral is built from Indiana limestone and granite from Gunnison, Colorado. The altar, statues, and the bishop's chair are all made of beautiful Carrara marble. Other parts of the church use Yule marble from Marble, Colorado.
The cathedral has 75 stained glass windows. These windows were made by the Royal Bavarian Art Institute in Munich, Germany. This church has more leaded stained glass than any other church in North America. When it first opened, the cathedral could hold 1,000 people. Now, after some changes to the inside, it can hold 895 people.
Church 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 sacraments regularly. Beyond religious services, the cathedral helps the poor in the area. Each year, it provides between 50,000 and 60,000 lunches to people in need.
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
