Cathedral of St. Andrew (Little Rock, Arkansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saint Andrew's Catholic Cathedral
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 Location in Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 617 Louisiana St. Little Rock, Arkansas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1881 |
| Architect | Thomas Harding |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003117 |
| Added to NRHP | November 13, 1986 |
The Cathedral of Saint Andrew is a very old and important church in Little Rock, Arkansas. It's the oldest place where people still gather for worship in the city. This beautiful building is the main church for the Diocese of Little Rock, which is like a special church district. You can find it in downtown Little Rock, at the corner of South Louisiana Street and West 7th Street.
Contents
The Story of Saint Andrew's Cathedral
Early Days of Worship
The first Catholic Mass (a special church service) in Little Rock happened way back in 1830. Father Peter Donnelly from the Archdiocese of St. Louis led this service. It took place in a room above a store. As more people joined, the group got a building of their own.
In 1839, two priests, Father Joseph Richard Bole and Father Paris, came to Little Rock. Their job was to build a permanent church. This church was known as the Old French Church. It was officially opened in 1841 by Bishop Mathias Loras.
A New Diocese and Cathedral
On November 28, 1843, Pope Gregory XVI created the Diocese of Little Rock. This made Little Rock an important center for the Catholic Church. The first bishop was the Most Reverend Andrew Byrne.
Bishop Byrne started the first Saint Andrew's Cathedral in 1845. It was located at Second and Center Streets. But as the number of church members grew, a bigger cathedral was needed.
Building the Current Cathedral
The first stone for the current cathedral was laid on July 7, 1878. Bishop Edward Fitzgerald led this important event. The church was officially opened on November 27, 1881.
A local architect named Thomas Harding designed the building. It cost $470,000 to build, which was a huge amount of money back then! The tallest tower on the front of the building was finished in 1887.
Later Years and Recognition
In 1950, a tornado hit downtown Little Rock. It knocked the cross off the top of the cathedral's tower. The tornado also broke two of the beautiful stained glass windows.
The building where the priests live today was built in 1966. In 1986, Saint Andrew's Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
What the Cathedral Looks Like
The Cathedral of Saint Andrew is built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features tall arches and pointed windows. The church is made from local granite.
The building is about 140 feet (43 meters) long. The main part of the church, called the nave, is 86 feet (26 meters) wide. The front of the church has two towers. The tallest tower has a pointed top, called a spire. It reaches 86 feet (26 meters) into the sky.
Inside, the church is decorated with Southern yellow pine wood. It also has a beautiful high altar made of marble. This altar is decorated with onyx and other precious stones, making it very special.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Andrés (Little Rock) para niños
