Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Richmond, Virginia) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

Location in Virginia
37°32′50.8″N 77°27′7.7″W / 37.547444°N 77.452139°W / 37.547444; -77.452139
Location	823 Cathedral Place Richmond, Virginia
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
History
Consecrated	1906
Architecture
Architect(s)	Joseph Hubert McGuire
Style	Renaissance Revival
Groundbreaking	1903
Completed	1905
Construction cost	$17588000
Specifications
Length	206 feet (63 m)
Width	144 feet (44 m)
Height	144 feet (44 m)
Materials	Virginia granite (foundation), Indiana limestone (walls), Copper (dome)
Administration
Diocese	Diocese of Richmond

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is a beautiful and historic church located in Richmond, Virginia. It serves as the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond. You can find it at 823 Cathedral Place, right across from Monroe Park.

Building of the cathedral started in 1903. It was paid for by generous donations from Thomas Fortune Ryan and his wife, Ida Mary Barry Ryan. This was very special because it was the only cathedral known at that time to be built almost entirely by one family.

The cathedral was finished in 1905 and officially opened on November 29, 1906. Today, it is recognized as a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart also hosts the Catholic Campus Ministry for students at Virginia Commonwealth University.

History of the Cathedral
- Why the Cathedral Was Built
Building the Cathedral
A Historic Landmark
Gallery
See also

History of the Cathedral

Why the Cathedral Was Built

The idea for the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart came from Thomas Fortune Ryan and his wife, Ida Mary Barry Ryan. Thomas Ryan became Catholic in 1868. He made a lot of money in railroads and streetcars.

Ida Mary Barry Ryan was very active in helping Catholic charities. She and her husband gave money for many Catholic projects. In 1901, Ida donated funds to build a church in Manchester (now part of Richmond). This made it easier for people to attend services without crossing the James River.

The Ryans also supported other churches and schools. In 1901, they each gave $250,000 to build the cathedral. This was a huge amount of money back then, equal to about $18 million today! They wanted to build a grand cathedral overlooking Monroe Park.

Richmond's Catholic community was growing at the time. The church already owned some land for the project. The Ryans' gift helped make the dream of a new cathedral come true.

Building the Cathedral

Architect and Design

The Ryans chose Joseph Hubert McGuire to be the architect for the cathedral. The church, along with the bishop's house and a pastoral home, takes up an entire city block. The first stone was laid on June 4, 1903. This special stone came all the way from the Garden of Gethsemane.

The cathedral is a great example of Italian Renaissance Revival style. This means it looks like buildings from the Renaissance period in Italy.

Materials and Features

The outside of the cathedral is made from strong Virginia granite and Indiana limestone. The roof has ceramic tiles and a large copper dome that is 118 feet (36 meters) across. The two towers at the front of the cathedral rise 90 feet (27 meters) high.

At the entrance, there are tall columns that support a decorated beam. On this beam, you can read the words: "If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments." The underside of the triangular roof section above the entrance has special fireproof tiles.

Opening Day

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart was officially opened on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1906. A series of ceremonies took place throughout the day, starting early in the morning.

Changes Over Time

Over the years, the inside of the cathedral has been updated. Some changes were made to the altar area to create a more open space for services. This included installing a freestanding altar.

A Historic Landmark

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is an important historical site. It is recognized as a Virginia Historic Landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it is a significant place in American history.