Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption (Trenton, New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral ofSt. Mary of the Assumption |
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St. Mary's rectory (left) and cathedral
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 Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
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| 40°13′22″N 74°45′58″W / 40.2227°N 74.7660°W | |
| Location | 151 N. Warren St. Trenton, New Jersey |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1865 |
| Dedicated | March 14, 1959 |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Modern Romanesque |
| Completed | 1959 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | One |
| Spire height | 98 feet (30 m) |
| Materials | Mount Airy granite |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Trenton |
The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, often called St. Mary's Cathedral, is an important Catholic cathedral in Trenton, New Jersey. A cathedral is the main church for a large area called a diocese. This church is the main seat for the Diocese of Trenton, along with another church in Freehold.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
A Historic Location
In 1865, a priest named Reverend Anthony Smith bought the land where the cathedral stands today. This land is special because it was part of a battlefield during the American Revolutionary War.
A sign on the property marks the spot where the commander of the Hessian soldiers, Col. Johann Gottlieb Rall, died after the Battle of Trenton in 1776.
From Parish Church to Cathedral
St. Mary's was the second Catholic parish, or local church community, in Trenton. Construction on the first church building began in 1866. It was officially opened on January 1, 1871. In 1879, a tall spire was added, which was said to be the highest in New Jersey at the time.
The church even had a famous clock in its tower. This clock was built by the Seth Thomas Clock Company and was used at a big world's fair in Paris in 1878.
In 1881, the Pope created the Diocese of Trenton, and St. Mary's Church was chosen to be its cathedral.
A Tragic Fire and Rebirth
Around 1900, a gym and a convent (a home for nuns) were built. But in 1956, the cathedral's tall spire was removed because it was in danger of falling.
Just a few months later, on March 14, 1956, a terrible fire destroyed the cathedral and the house for the priests next to it. Tragically, the head priest, Msgr. Richard T. Crean, and two housekeepers, Mary Brennan and Mary Donnellan, died in the fire.
But the community came together to rebuild. Exactly three years later, on March 14, 1959, the new cathedral was completed and officially dedicated.
Architecture and Design
The cathedral you see today is built from a type of stone called Mount Airy granite. Its style is a modern version of an old style called Romanesque, which is known for its thick walls and rounded arches. The corner tower stands 98 feet (30 m) tall.
Amazingly, some parts of the old cathedral were saved from the fire and used in the new one.
- The Bells: The ten bells from the old tower were damaged in the fire, but they were fixed and hung in the new tower. Today, they are played using an electronic keyboard.
- The Clock: The historic clock from the Paris Exposition was also saved, restored, and placed in the new cathedral. It now runs on electricity instead of old-fashioned weights.
- Other Features: The bronze doors, the altar rails, and parts of the beautiful stained glass windows were also saved and included in the new building.
The front of the cathedral, called the façade, features statues of the Twelve Apostles from the Bible.
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A view inside the church, looking toward the main altar.
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Looking from the altar back toward the entrance and gallery.
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These bronze doors survived the fire from the original cathedral.
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The Gymnasium and Auditorium building.
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The convent, where nuns lived.
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See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa María de la Asunción (Trenton) para niños
