Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Lake Charles, Louisiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of theImmaculate Conception |
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Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in 2023
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| Location | 935 Bilbo Street Lake Charles, Louisiana |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral/Parish church |
| Founded | 1869 (parish) |
| Dedication | Immaculate Conception |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Favrot & Livaudais |
| Style | Romanesque Revival Italianate |
| Completed | 1913 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | One |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lake Charles |
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic church in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It is the main church for the Diocese of Lake Charles. The church parish started in 1869. It became a cathedral in 1980. The church building, its rectory (where the priest lives), and a garage are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
Inside the cathedral, there is a very old statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is made of Carrara marble. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI gave special permission for the statue to be "crowned." This special ceremony happened on August 22, 2013. The church was fully renovated in 2019, making it look new and beautiful.
The Cathedral's Story
The first Catholic church in Lake Charles was St. Francis de Sales. It was built in 1858 as a small chapel. The church parish officially started in 1869. It got its first priest around that time.
A hurricane damaged the church in 1879. So, the parish decided to build a new one. They renamed the parish Immaculate Conception. The new church building was finished in 1881.
However, this church and other buildings were destroyed in a big fire on April 23, 1910. After the fire, plans for the current church began. It was designed by a famous architecture firm from New Orleans. The church was completed in 1913. The rectory and garage were also finished that same year.
The buildings were designed in a style called Romanesque Revival. This style looks like old buildings from a region in Italy called Lombardy. In 1923, three marble altars were added to the church. They came from a church in Salt Lake City. Around 1950, marble was added to the walls and columns inside the church. A marble pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) was also added.
A stone grotto (a small cave-like structure) with a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built on the church property in 1948. A brick addition with a small chapel was completed in 1973. It was designed to match the church's Romanesque style.
On January 29, 1980, Pope John Paul II created the Diocese of Lake Charles. The Immaculate Conception church then became the main cathedral for this new diocese.
The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. It is important because of its unique architectural style. It is one of the few Romanesque Revival buildings left in Lake Charles.
In August 2020, Hurricane Laura hit Lake Charles. The cathedral and other church buildings had roof damage.
The Cathedral School
Immaculate Conception Cathedral School is the church's school for younger students. It opened on February 19, 1950. As of 2019, the school has about 20 teachers and a principal. There are around 410 to 430 students.
In 2007, a new addition called the St. Charles Annex was built. It has four classrooms. It also has a room used as a library, an art room, and a computer lab for students.
Images for kids
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View up the nave toward the chancel.
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View down the nave toward gallery.
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Canonically crowned image of the Virgin Mary.
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The grotto on the cathedral grounds.
See also
