Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption (Fall River, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption |
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| 41°41′55″N 71°9′28″W / 41.69861°N 71.15778°W | |
| Location | 327 Second Street Fall River, Massachusetts |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Dedicated | 1855 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | NRHP |
| Designated | 1983 |
| Architect(s) | Patrick Keely (cathedral) Maginnis & Walsh (rectory) |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | August 8, 1852 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 126 feet (38 m) |
| Width | 76 feet (23 m) |
| Height | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Number of spires | One |
| Spire height | 190 feet (58 m) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Fall River |
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, often called Saint Mary's Cathedral, is an important old church in Fall River, Massachusetts. It serves as the main church for the Diocese of Fall River and is also a local parish church.
This beautiful building was constructed between 1852 and 1856. The cathedral and the building next to it, called the rectory, were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means they are recognized as important historical sites. Saint Mary's is the oldest church building still standing in Fall River. It was also one of the city's first Catholic parishes, which is like a local church community. The cathedral is named after Mary, mother of Jesus, celebrating her Assumption into heaven.
Contents
History of Saint Mary's Cathedral
In the early 1800s, there weren't many Catholic people in Fall River. Priests would visit them sometimes. By 1835, land was bought for a church. The first parish, St. John the Baptist, was started in 1838, and a small wooden church was built.
However, in the 1840s, many Irish immigrants came to Fall River to work in the factories. The small church quickly became too crowded.
Building the New Cathedral
On August 8, 1852, Bishop John Bernard Fitzpatrick of the Diocese of Boston laid the first stone for the new church. This new church was built right around the old St. John the Baptist Church. The old church was used until the new one was almost finished. Then, it was taken apart and rebuilt nearby. Many people from the parish helped build their new church.
Bishop Fitzpatrick returned to dedicate the new St. Mary's Church on December 16, 1855. Some finishing touches were added the next year. The tall steeple wasn't completed until 1858.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 1872, St. Mary's became part of the new Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. Later, in 1901, Bishop Matthew Harkins officially blessed the main altar area. In 1904, Pope Pius X made St. Mary's the main church, or cathedral, for the newly formed Diocese of Fall River. Bishop William Stang was its first leader.
Chapels and Renovations
The cathedral has two smaller chapels. The Lady Chapel was finished in 1869. It holds the Blessed Sacrament and has daily Mass. The Bishop’s Chapel was completed in 1935. It is named after Saints John Fisher and Thomas More. Four bishops of Fall River are buried in a special room below this chapel.
The cathedral has been updated and repaired five times over the years: in 1890-1891, 1912-1913, 1951, 1978–79, and 2000.
The rectory, where the priests live and diocesan offices are, is connected to the back of the cathedral. The current rectory was built in 1927, replacing an older one.
Saint Mary's Cathedral is one of several grand Catholic churches built in Fall River when it was a busy industrial city. Other examples include St. Anne Shrine and Sacred Heart Church.
Architecture of Saint Mary's Cathedral
The design for St. Mary's Cathedral came from Patrick Keely, a famous church architect from Brooklyn, New York. He designed it in the “Early English” style, which is a type of Gothic Revival style. This style brings back elements of medieval Gothic buildings. Keely also designed other churches in Fall River.
Building Materials and Size
The cathedral and its tall steeple are made entirely of strong, local granite stone. The main roof is covered with shingles. The building is about 126 feet (38 m) long and 76 feet (23 m) wide. The spire, the very top part of the steeple, reaches a height of 190 feet (58 m). The main entrance is at the front, under a small pointed roof. Above the entrance, on the front wall, there is a beautiful rose window.
Inside the Cathedral
Inside, you'll see detailed wooden carvings, with some gold accents above the main altar area. The church is divided into three long sections called naves by large granite columns. The central nave is taller than the side naves. This creates a clerestory, which is a high section with windows that let in light. The ceiling of the central nave is a special type called a hammer-beam ceiling, and it rises 90 feet (27 m) above the floor.
The oldest stained glass windows are in the nave. They were made in Germany and put in place in 1891. The windows in the main altar area were made in Brooklyn and installed in 1915. The tall, narrow Lancet windows in the back gallery were made in Boston and added in 1952.
The rectory building was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Maginnis & Walsh. Like the cathedral, it was built in the Gothic Revival style and has a granite exterior.
See also
