Cathedral of Saint Mary (Miami) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Cathedral of Saint Mary |
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 Location in Florida
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| 25°50′38″N 80°12′01″W / 25.843963°N 80.200219°W | |
| Location | 7525 NW 2nd Ave. Miami, Florida |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Dedicated | January 27, 1957 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1955 |
| Completed | 1957 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Miami |
The Cathedral of Saint Mary is a very important church in Miami, Florida. It is the main church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami. The cathedral is named after Mary, mother of Jesus. You can find it at 7525 N.W. 2nd Avenue in Miami. Since 2010, Thomas Gerard Wenski has been the Archbishop of Miami. The current leader of the cathedral is Rev. Christopher Marino.
Contents
History of Saint Mary's Cathedral
How the Church Began
In August 1929, a group of 14 people met to start a new church community. They called themselves "The Little River Mission Club." Bishop Patrick Barry said they needed 100 Catholic families to form a parish. They bought three pieces of land for the church.
In April 1930, construction began for a wooden church building. The very first church service, called a Mass, was held there on July 20, 1930.
Early Years and Growth
In October 1930, Father Patrick Joseph Roche became the first pastor of St. Mary's Parish. The church served a large area of Miami. In 1931, a house for the priest, called a rectory, was built. A church hall was added in 1935.
In 1936, the wooden church building was moved to a new spot. It was then made bigger by adding two wings. After this, the church could hold 600 people.
Building the New Cathedral
In 1953, Father Roche retired. Father Patrick J. O’Donoghue took over as pastor. Construction for a new, larger church began in 1955. This new building was officially opened on January 27, 1957.
The new church was very impressive. Its main dome was seven stories high above the altar. One of its towers was 12 stories tall. The two large wooden doors at the entrance were 30 feet (9 meters) high. The ceiling over the altar was 76 feet (23 meters) high. The main part of the church, called the nave, was 140 feet (43 meters) long and 82 feet (25 meters) wide.
Becoming a Cathedral
On August 13, 1958, a new Diocese of Miami was created. This new diocese included 16 counties in Southern Florida. The Vatican announced that St. Mary's Church would become the new Cathedral.
On October 7, 1958, Bishop Coleman F. Carroll became the first bishop of Miami. Soon after, the cathedral was updated. A large bronze bell, weighing more than two tons, was added. A pipe organ was also installed.
In 1966, Monsignor David Bushey finished building a new rectory with offices and living spaces. A new parish hall was built in 1967. On June 13, 1968, Bishop Coleman Carroll became the first Archbishop of Miami.
Saint Mary's Cathedral School
The cathedral has its own school called Saint Mary's Cathedral School. It teaches students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The school first opened in 1939 with 230 students. In the 1960s, many Cuban American families joined the school after the Cuban Revolution.
Cathedral Leaders
Here are the people who have led the Cathedral over the years.
Archbishops of Miami
- Archbishop Coleman Francis Carroll, D.D. (1958–1977)
- Archbishop Edward Anthony McCarthy, D.D. (1977–1994)
- Archbishop John Clement Favalora, D.D. (1994–2010)
- Archbishop Thomas Gerard Wenski, D.D. (2010–present)
Pastors and Rectors
- Monsignor Patrick J. Roche (1930–1953)
- Monsignor Patrick J. O’Donoghue (1953–1966)
- Monsignor David E. Bushey (1966–1970)
- Monsignor John J. Donnelly (1971–1980)
- Monsignor Gerald T. LaCerra (1980–1991)
- Monsignor Andrew A. Anderson (1991–1999)
- Monsignor Terence E. Hogan (1999–2012)
- Very Rev. Christopher Marino V.F. (2012–present)
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa María (Miami) para niños
- List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
- List of cathedrals in Florida
- Saint Mary's Cathedral School (Miami, Florida)
