Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America |
|
|---|---|
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America (2006)
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Archdiocese of Washington |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Friary/Monastery |
| Location | |
| Location | 1400 Quincy St. N.E. Washington, D.C., United States |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Aristide Leonori |
| Architectural type | Friary |
| Architectural style | Neo-Byzantine |
| Groundbreaking | 1898 |
| Completed | 1899 |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| Added to NRHP | 17 January 1992 |
|
Franciscan Monastery and Memorial Church of the Holy Land
|
|
 Location in District of Columbia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Area | 44 acres (18 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001943 |
| Website | |
| www.myfranciscan.org | |
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is a special place run by Franciscan friars. It is located in the Brookland area of Washington, D.C.. This large complex sits on a hill called Mount Saint Sepulcher.
It includes a beautiful church called the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulcher. You can also find peaceful gardens and copies of important shrines from Israel. There's even a replica of the ancient catacombs found in Rome. The monastery also has a library and an archive.
Contents
History of the Monastery
The idea for the monastery began in 1880. A priest named Father Charles A. Vassani started the U.S. Commissariat of the Holy Land in New York City. This group helped support Christian holy sites.
Father Vassani and Father Godfrey Schilling wanted to build a "Holy Land in America." They first thought about building it on Staten Island. But their plans later changed.
In 1897, Father Schilling bought the McCeeney Estate. This land was on a wooded hilltop in Brookland, Washington, D.C.. Six Franciscan friars then moved into the old McCeeney house.
After buying the land, Father Schilling visited the Holy Land. He took many measurements and photos of the holy sites there. This helped him create accurate copies back in America.
Construction began in February 1898. The first stone was laid on the Feast of St. Joseph. Building the church, gardens, and holy shrines took several years.
The main church was officially opened in September 1924. This was 25 years after its dedication. In January 1992, the monastery was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site.
Architecture and Design
The Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulcher was designed by Aristide Leonori. Construction started in 1898 and finished in 1899.
The church's design looks like the famous Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Its floor plan is shaped like the five-part Jerusalem cross. The building also uses the neo-Byzantine style. This style looks similar to the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Some Romanesque design elements were also added.
The Rosary Portico surrounds the church. It was designed by John Joseph Earley. This portico has fifteen small chapels. Each chapel shows one of the mysteries of the Rosary. Inside each chapel, you can find plaques with the Hail Mary prayer. These are written in almost 200 different languages. The Rosary Portico looks like cloisters found in Rome.
The monastery building is attached to the church. It is built in the neo-Romanesque style. The monastery grounds have copies of shrines from the Holy Land. There is also a Lourdes grotto and a copy of the Porziuncola. Many artists and architects have helped create this beautiful site.
Library and Archives
The monastery has a library and archives. These collections hold many materials about the Holy Land. They also have information about the monastery's early days. You can find details about monastery life and a large collection of special religious clothing.
Music at the Monastery
The Organ
A new Lively-Fulcher organ was put in the church in 2003. It replaced an older organ. The monastery often holds monthly organ recitals. These are concerts where people can listen to the organ music.
