Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Co-Cathedral ofSt. Robert Bellarmine |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
|
|
| 40°12′54.5″N 74°17′34.2″W / 40.215139°N 74.292833°W | |
| 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. It shares this role with the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton. The church parish was started in 1971. The current church building was finished in 2002, and it became a co-cathedral in 2017.
The Story of St. Robert's Church
The St. Robert's parish began in 1971. Many people from New York City and North Jersey were moving to Monmouth County at that time. At first, they used a building that served many purposes for their church activities.
As more people joined the church, it grew in size and financial strength. This allowed them to plan for a new, bigger church building. This new church was completed in 2002.
Because of its good location in the middle of the diocese (the area the bishop oversees), the church was often used for different events for the whole diocese. Bishop David M. O'Connell asked the Holy See (the main government of the Catholic Church) to make St. Robert Bellarmine a co-cathedral. This request was approved in December 2016. The church was officially dedicated as a co-cathedral on February 19, 2017.
About the Church Building
The church building is large and made of brick. It has a modern design, but also includes features from the Romanesque style.
Inside, there is a large gathering space. You can also see a big rose window and clerestory windows, which are high up to let in light. The stained glass windows show different scenes. These include the Mysteries of the Rosary, pictures of American saints, and St. Robert Bellarmine, who is the church's patron saint.
The inside of the church is an open space with no columns. It can seat up to 1,100 people. The platform where the altar is located is made of white marble. The altar itself, the stand for the tabernacle (where the Eucharist is kept), and the ambo (where readings are done) are all made of green Carrara marble.
-
Inside view towards the altar
-
The Cathedra, the bishop's special chair
-
Beautiful stained glass windows
-
The main altar
-
The Parish Center building
See also
