Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Tyler, Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of theImmaculate Conception |
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 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| 32°20′47″N 95°18′04″W / 32.34636°N 95.30109°W | |
| Location | 423 S. Broadway Tyler, Texas |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Membership | 2,600 families |
| Website | www.thecathedral.info |
| History | |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Dedication | Immaculate Conception |
| Dedicated | March 17, 1935 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Mission Revival Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Completed | 1935 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | One |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Tyler |
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a big Roman Catholic church in Tyler, Texas, United States. It is the main church for the Catholic community in that area. It is a special place where many people gather for worship.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Early Days of the Church
Tyler started to grow a lot in the 1870s. This was when the railroad came to town. Priests from nearby towns like Nacogdoches and Palestine would visit Tyler. They came to hold Mass and help the Catholic people there.
The Immaculate Conception Church officially started in 1878. Two years later, a church made of wood was built. It was located at the corner of West Locust Street and North College Avenue.
By the 1910s, the church needed to be bigger. But the current church building was not built right away. It happened after Father Sebastian A. Samperi became the pastor in 1927. The church bought new land at Front Street and South Broadway. The new church building was dedicated on March 17, 1935.
The church building was updated and redecorated in 1949 and again in 1978. In 1984, they added offices, a library, and a large meeting room. Two years later, the church basement was named after Father Samperi.
Becoming a Cathedral
Pope John Paul II created the Diocese of Tyler on December 12, 1986. A diocese is a special area managed by a bishop. This new diocese was made from parts of other dioceses. These included the Diocese of Dallas, the Diocese of Beaumont, and the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.
When the Diocese of Tyler was created, the Immaculate Conception Church became the Cathedral. This means it became the main church for the entire diocese.
Growing with the Community
As the population of Tyler and Smith County grew, the Cathedral parish also got bigger. In the early 1990s, the church added the Cathedral Center. This center has rooms for meetings and events for church activities.
By 1994, thousands of people were attending Mass every weekend. The Cathedral needed more space. So, the church created St. Paul's Chapel. This was a temporary place in the Chancery Office. It was used while they planned a permanent new location.
On December 8, 2011, their patience paid off. Bishop Alvaro Corrada dedicated the Chapel of Sts. Peter & Paul. This new chapel can seat 700 people. It is located on the campus of Bishop Gorman Regional Catholic High School.
The parish also includes St. Gregory Cathedral School. This school opened in 1946. It has been named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School twice. This award recognizes schools for their great performance.
More to Explore
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción (Tyler) para niños
