Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Memphis, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of theImmaculate Conception |
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 Location in Tennessee
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| 35°07′33″N 90°00′19″W / 35.12588°N 90.00515°W | |
| Location | 1695 Central Ave. Memphis, Tennessee |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Richard J. Regan |
| Style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Completed | 1938 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Length | 173 feet (53 m) |
| Width | 106 feet (32 m) |
| Number of domes | Two |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Memphis |
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a beautiful and important Catholic cathedral located in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. It serves as the main church for the Diocese of Memphis, which is like the central office for Catholic churches in that area. The buildings around the church are part of the historic Central Gardens Historic District. This cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, recognizing its special historical value.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Starting the Parish in Memphis
The Immaculate Conception parish was created in 1921 by Bishop Thomas Sebastian Byrne. It was the ninth Catholic parish to be established in the city of Memphis. Msgr. Dennis J. Murphy was chosen as the very first pastor, or leader, of this new parish.
He oversaw the building of a three-story brick structure. This building was designed to be both a church and a school. Today, it still serves as the school building for the parish. The Sisters of Mercy, a group of religious women, were the first teachers at the school.
Building the Main Church
Work on the main church building began in 1927. Richard J. Regan, an architect from Regan and Weller Architects, was selected to design the church. First, the lower part of the church, called the crypt, was built. This crypt was used as the church for ten years.
The entire church was finished and officially opened on July 31, 1938. Msgr. Francis D. Grady, who became the second pastor, made sure the inside of the church was beautifully decorated. Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, Msgr. Merlin F. Kearney had high school buildings constructed east of the church. This is also when the Immaculate Conception High School for girls started.
Becoming a Cathedral
On January 6, 1971, Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Memphis. The Immaculate Conception church was then chosen to be the new diocese's cathedral. This means it became the main church for the entire diocese.
A big project to update and improve the cathedral was finished in 2001. Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, officially dedicated the newly renovated church on December 8 of that year. By 2011, the parish had about 800 families attending services. The school also had 430 students learning there.
Architecture and Design
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. This style often features elements from Spanish colonial buildings. The church has a cruciform shape, meaning it looks like a cross from above. It measures about 173 feet (53 m) long and 106 feet (32 m) wide.
The building's strong steel frame is covered with light brown brick. It also has special trim made from Indiana limestone. The front of the church, called the main facade, has three arched doorways. Above these, there is a beautiful rose window and a stone cross at the top of the central pediment.
Two tall towers stand on either side of the main front. These towers are topped with copper-covered domes. A cross sits on top of each dome, reaching a height of 115 feet (35 m). The church also has two other rose windows, one on each side wing, known as the transepts.
See also
- List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral School
