Corpus Christi Cathedral (Corpus Christi, Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corpus Christi Cathedral |
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 Location in Texas
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| 27°47′40″N 97°23′49″W / 27.79444°N 97.39694°W | |
| Location | 505 North Upper Broadway Corpus Christi, Texas |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 1853 |
| Dedicated | 1940 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Charles Monot |
| Style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Completed | 1940 |
| Construction cost | $425,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 176 feet (54 m) |
| Width | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Height | 133 feet (41 m) |
| Number of domes | Two |
| Dome height (outer) | North tower: 97 feet (30 m) South tower: 125 feet (38 m) |
| Materials | Stucco |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Corpus Christi |
The Corpus Christi Cathedral is a large and important church in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. It is the main church for the Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi. This means it's where the bishop of the area has his official seat. The cathedral is a beautiful building with a rich history, serving the community for many years.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Early Days: St. Patrick's Church
In the mid-1800s, when Corpus Christi was a new town, Catholic priests traveled long distances to serve the people. There was no church building, so Mass was held in people's homes.
The first pastor, Reverend Bernard O'Reilly, arrived in 1853. By 1855, a small adobe church was being used, and it was finished two years later. The land for this church was given by H. L. Kinney. Many Irish immigrants lived in the area, so the church was named St. Patrick.
In 1874, a new church area called the Vicariate Apostolic of Brownsville was created by Pope Pius IX. Reverend Dominic Manucy was chosen to lead it. He lived in Corpus Christi and found St. Patrick's Church needed repairs. He built a second, larger church on the same land, which was ready in 1882.
Becoming a Cathedral
On March 23, 1912, St. Pius X created the Diocese of Corpus Christi. St. Patrick's Church then became the main church, known as the cathedral.
St. Patrick's Cathedral was a safe place during big hurricanes in 1916 and 1919. People who lost their homes found shelter there. In November 1938, a fire damaged St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Building the New Corpus Christi Cathedral
Even before the fire, St. Patrick's Church was becoming too small for the growing community. After the fire, leaders decided to build a new, bigger church. John Kenedy donated the land for the new building.
The new cathedral was designed by Charles Monot in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. This style often includes features like stucco walls and decorative towers. The first stone was laid on March 1, 1940. Bishop Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina dedicated the new church in July of the same year.
Pope Pius XII wanted the new cathedral to be named Corpus Christi, which means "Body of Christ." So, the name was changed during its dedication. The old St. Patrick's buildings were rebuilt and became Our Lady, Star of the Sea Church.
Cathedral Size and Renovations
The Corpus Christi Cathedral is quite large. It is about 54 meters (176 feet) long and 27 meters (90 feet) wide. The south tower is about 38 meters (125 feet) tall to the top of its dome and 40 meters (133 feet) to the top of its cross. The north tower is a bit shorter, reaching about 30 meters (97 feet) to the dome and 32 meters (105 feet) to the cross.
In the 1960s, Bishop Thomas Joseph Drury had the cathedral updated. These changes were made to follow new ideas from the Second Vatican Council, which changed how some church services were done.
Later, a small chapel was added in the lower part of the cathedral for daily Mass. A new building for the priests, called a rectory, was also built in 1979. The cathedral was renovated again in 1980. In the 1980s, a weekly televised Mass began to be broadcast from the cathedral.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi) para niños
