Cathedral of San Agustin (Laredo, Texas) facts for kids
|
San Augustine Church
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
 Cathedral of San Agustin
Location in Texas
Cathedral of San Agustin
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 201 San Agustín Ave. Laredo, Texas |
|---|---|
| Built | 1866-1872 |
| Architect | Rev. Pierre Yves Kéralum |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | San Agustin de Laredo Historic District (ID73001983) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | September 19, 1973 |
The Cathedral of San Agustin (Spanish: Catedral de San Agustín) is a very important Catholic church in Laredo, Texas. It's like the main church for the Diocese of Laredo, which is a special area managed by the Catholic Church. You can find it at 201 San Agustin Avenue, right in the historic part of Laredo.
The very first church here was a small chapel made of adobe (a type of mud brick) built way back in 1767. Later, in 1810, a bigger church made of stone took its place. The church building you see today was finished in 1872.
As of August 2025, the leader of the Diocese of Laredo is Bishop James Tamayo.
Contents
History of San Agustin Cathedral
In 1755, a Spanish army officer started a town called Villa de San Agustin de Laredo. This area was then part of a region called Nuevo Santander. The bishop from the Diocese of Guadalajara in New Spain sent a priest named Father Juan José de Lafita y Verri to be the first priest in Laredo. In 1767, Father Verri built a small mission chapel, which was the first Catholic church in Laredo.
Building a Bigger Church
In 1778, a new church made of stone was built. It was large enough for more than 200 families. In 1789, San Agustin became a parish, which means it was officially recognized as a church community by the bishop of the Diocese of Linares in Mexico. During this time, many Carrizo Indians living in Laredo became Catholic. The parish tried to build an even larger church in 1800, but they had to stop the project. In 1805, Bishop Marín de Porras from the Diocese of Monterey in Mexico was the first bishop to visit Laredo.
The parish tried again to rebuild the church in 1810. However, they faced problems like not having enough money and attacks from Comanche and Apache groups. After the Mexican War of Independence ended in 1821, the church building project was put on hold.
Becoming Part of the United States
In 1848, the Mexican–American War ended, and Laredo became part of the United States. It then joined the Diocese of Galveston. Bishop John M. Odin sent several French priests to this area. Reverend Allophone Martin Souchon started building the church you see today in 1866. It officially opened on December 12, 1872.
In 1905, a strong storm caused cracks in the front wall of the church. These were fixed in 1912. A clock was put in the church tower, and the church was updated in 1919. In 1922, the church's management was given to a religious group called the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Renovations and Restoration
In 1946, the parish added a 40-foot altar area to the east side of the building. They also added two sacristies, which are rooms where priests prepare for services. A baptistry (a place for baptisms) and a chapel were also built at the west end of the church. In 1985, the Oblates gave control of San Agustin back to the diocese.
From 1989 to 1994, a group called the San Agustin Church Historical Preservation and Restoration Society worked to restore the church. They spent about $675,000 on this project. A new Blessed Sacrament Chapel was added. The entire church was repaired and restored, and a brick plaza was created in front of the church.
In 2000, Pope John Paul II created the Diocese of Laredo and made San Agustin Church its main church, or cathedral. Today, the San Agustin Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in the Southwest that is still standing. It is also the second tallest building in Laredo. The San Agustin de Laredo Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, which means it's a very important historical site.
Design of San Agustin Cathedral
The Cathedral of San Agustin is built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features tall, pointed arches and large windows. The church has a five-story bell and clock tower that stands 141 feet (43 meters) tall. All the windows have the classic Gothic shape, with beautiful stained glass between the stone sections of its walls. A French priest named Pierre Yves Keralum was the person who designed and planned this historic building.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Agustín (Laredo) para niños
