Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine

Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
40°12′54.5″N 74°17′34.2″W / 40.215139°N 74.292833°W / 40.215139; -74.292833
Location	61 Georgia Rd. Freehold, New Jersey
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
History
Status	Co-Cathedral/Parish church
Founded	1971
Dedication	Robert Bellarmine
Dedicated	December 7, 2002
Architecture
Completed	2002
Specifications
Capacity	1,100
Materials	Brick
Administration
Diocese	Trenton

The Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine is a special Catholic church in Freehold, New Jersey. It is called a co-cathedral because it shares the role of being the main church for the Diocese of Trenton. The other main church is the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton. The church became a co-cathedral in 2017.

History of the Co-Cathedral
Architecture and Design
See also

History of the Co-Cathedral

How the Church Began

The St. Robert's parish started in 1971. Many people from New York City and North Jersey were moving to Monmouth County. This meant more families needed a church. At first, they used a multi-purpose building for services.

Building a New Church

As the number of church members grew, the parish became stronger. They decided to build a new, bigger church. This new church building was finished in 2002. It was a big step for the community.

Becoming a Co-Cathedral

The church's location in Freehold is very central for the whole diocese. Because of this, the church facilities were often used for different diocese events. In 2016, Bishop David M. O'Connell asked the Holy See (the Pope's main office) if St. Robert Bellarmine could become a co-cathedral. His request was approved in December 2016. The church was officially dedicated as a co-cathedral on February 19, 2017.

Architecture and Design

The Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine is a large church made of brick. It has a modern style with some features from Romanesque buildings.

Key Features of the Building

The church has a welcoming gathering space. It also features a large rose window and clerestory windows high up. These windows let in lots of natural light.

Beautiful Stained Glass

Inside, you can see beautiful stained glass windows. These windows show different scenes. Some depict the Mysteries of the Rosary, which are important prayers. Others show American saints and St. Robert Bellarmine, who the church is named after.

Inside the Church

The inside of the church is an open space. There are no columns to block your view. It can seat up to 1,100 people. The altar platform is made of white marble. The altar, the tabernacle pedestal, and the ambo (where readings are given) are made of green Carrara marble.