Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Lafayette, Indiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception |
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| Location | 1207 Columbia St. Lafayette, Indiana |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral/Parish |
| Founded | 1843 (parish) |
| Dedication | Immaculate Conception |
| Dedicated | August 15, 1866 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1861 |
| Completed | 1866 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | one |
| Spire height | 170 feet (52 m) |
| Materials | Brick/Concrete |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lafayette in Indiana |
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a very important church for Catholic people in Lafayette, Indiana. It's not just a regular church; it's a "cathedral," which means it's the main church for the Lafayette in Indiana area. You can find it at 1207 Columbia Street in Lafayette. This beautiful building is also part of a special area called the St. Mary Historic District.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Starting Small: The First Church
The story of Saint Mary's began in 1843. A small group of Irish Catholic families in the area started meeting for church services in a rented space. By the next year, 1844, they had saved enough money to build their very own church.
This first church was made of brick. It was called the Church of Sts. Mary and Martha. It was finished in 1846 and stood at the corner of Fifth and Brown Streets. In 1850, a school was built right next to the church. The Oblate Sisters of Providence started running the school in 1858.
Building the New Cathedral
In 1860, a church member named Lawrence Stockton gave a piece of land on Columbia Street. This land was for building a new church, a rectory (where the priests live), and a school. Work started soon after. However, construction stopped when the American Civil War began in April 1861.
After the war, Reverend George Hamilton took over as the pastor. He made sure the construction of the new church was completed. This church was built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features tall spires and pointed arches.
The new church was officially opened on August 15, 1866. Its central tower is very tall, reaching about 170 feet (52 meters) high! Inside, the church has three main sections, called naves, separated by columns.
Beautiful Details and Changes
In 1887, beautiful frescos (paintings done on wet plaster) and colorful stained glass windows were added to the church. The outside of the church was originally made of brick. But in 1904, it was covered with concrete to make it look like stone. That same year, the front staircase and the balustrade (a fancy railing) were also finished.
Becoming a Cathedral
A big change happened in 1944. The Diocese of Fort Wayne was divided, and the new Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana was created. St. Mary's Church was chosen to be the main church, or "cathedral," for this new diocese.
The cathedral has been updated several times over the years. For example, in 2001, the inside was redecorated. A social hall was also added for community events.
See also
