Cathedral of Saint Theresa of Lisieux facts for kids
The Cathedral of Saint Theresa of Lisieux, often called St. Theresa's Cathedral, is an important Roman Catholic church in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bermuda is a British territory located in the Atlantic Ocean. This cathedral is the main church for the Catholic Bishop of Bermuda. Hamilton also has another large church, the Anglican Cathedral, which belongs to the Anglican Church of Bermuda.
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A Look at the Past
For a long time, starting around 1609, the Roman Catholic faith was not allowed in Bermuda. This was similar to other English territories. Only the Church of England was officially permitted. Things began to change in the early 1800s. A law called the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 was passed. This law made it possible for Catholics in Britain and its colonies to have more rights.
How Catholic Services Began
Even after the law changed, Catholic priests in Bermuda faced some restrictions. They were not allowed to perform baptisms, weddings, or funerals at first. However, many British soldiers stationed in Bermuda were Catholic, especially those from Ireland. Because of this, Catholic services started to be held by army chaplains in the 1800s.
The Start of Mount Saint Agnes Academy
The number of Catholics in Bermuda grew. In 1890, a private school called Mount Saint Agnes Academy opened. It was started by the Roman Catholic Church. This school was built because Irish Catholic soldiers wanted a place for their children to learn. It is still open today and is located very close to the cathedral.
Growing Catholic Community
From the 1840s onwards, more people from Portuguese islands like the Azores moved to Bermuda. Many of these new residents were Catholic. Today, people of Portuguese heritage make up a significant part of Bermuda's population. The Roman Catholic Church is now the second largest Christian group in Bermuda. About fifteen percent of the population are Catholic. The Anglican Church is the largest, with about twenty-three percent.
Building St. Theresa's Cathedral
St. Theresa's Cathedral was built on Cedar Avenue in Hamilton. The land for the church was bought in 1915 by Father Isaac Comeau. The cathedral was officially opened in 1932. It became a cathedral in 1967 when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda was created.
Unique Design
The cathedral's design is special. It looks like churches found in Portugal or Spain, which is called Iberian architecture. This is different from the usual Bermudian building style. It is also different from the Gothic style of the Anglican cathedral. The church was named after its patron saint, Thérèse of Lisieux. She was a French saint known as the Little Flower of Jesus.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa Teresa de Lisieux para niños
