Cathedral of San Agustin (Laredo, Texas) facts for kids
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San Augustine Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Cathedral of San Agustin
Location in Texas
Cathedral of San Agustin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 201 San Agustín Ave. Laredo, Texas |
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| 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 |
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| Added to NRHP | September 19, 1973 |
The Cathedral of San Agustin (which means Catedral de San Agustín in Spanish) is a very important church in Laredo, Texas. It is the main church for the Catholic community in the area. You can find it at 201 San Agustin Avenue, right in the middle of downtown Laredo. The church building we see today was finished in 1872. The current bishop is James Anthony Tamayo. In the year 2000, this cathedral was the main church for almost 290,000 Catholics in the diocese.
History of San Agustin Cathedral
The town of San Agustin de Laredo was started in 1755. The people who lived there wanted a Catholic church for worship. In 1760, a bishop named Francisco de San Buena Ventura ordered a small mission chapel to be built. This chapel was the only place for worship until 1778.
In 1778, a bigger stone church was built. It was made to hold more than 200 families. In 1789, San Agustin became a special church area called a parish by the Bishop of Guadalajara.
In 1848, Bishop John M. Odin sent several French priests to this part of Texas. One of them was Allophone Martin Souchon. In 1866, he started building the church we see today.
The San Agustin Church is built in a style called Gothic Revival. It has a tall, five-story bell and clock tower that is 141 feet (43 meters) high. All the windows have the classic Gothic shape. They have beautiful stained glass between the strong stone walls. A French priest named Pierre Yves Keralum designed this historic building. The new church officially opened on December 12, 1872.
From 1989 to 1994, a group worked to restore the San Agustin Church. They spent about $675,000 on this project. A new chapel was added inside. The whole church was repaired and made beautiful again. A brick plaza was also created in front of the church.
In 2000, the Diocese of Laredo was created. Pope John Paul II ordered that the San Agustin Church become its main cathedral.
Today, the San Agustin Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in the Southwest United States that is still standing. It is also the second tallest building in Laredo. The area around the church, called the San Agustin de Laredo Historic District, is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
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