Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano |
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(2019)
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Minor basilica National shrine |
| Leadership | Rev. Msgr. J. Michael McKiernen, Pastor Rev. Msgr. Arthur Holquin, Pastor Emeritus |
| Year consecrated | 1987 |
| Location | |
| Location | 31522 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, California |
| Territory | Diocese of Orange |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Bartlett |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1984 |
| Completed | 1986 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Dome height (outer) | 85 feet (26 m) |
| Spire(s) | 1 |
| Spire height | 104 feet (32 m) |
| Website | |
| www.missionparish.org | |
The Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano is a special Catholic church in San Juan Capistrano, California. It's part of the Diocese of Orange. This beautiful church was finished in 1986. It became a minor basilica in 2000 and a national shrine in 2003. This means it's a very important church for Catholics.
The church is located near the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. It helps many people in the community. For example, it runs "Serra's Pantry," which gives food and hygiene items to families. It also has the Mission Basilica School for kids from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade.
Contents
History of the Basilica
Rebuilding the Community
In 1910, St. John O'Sullivan took charge of the old mission. At that time, the community was spread out. The mission buildings were also in ruins. Father O'Sullivan worked hard to bring the community back together. He also started to fix up the old mission buildings.
The mission became a full parish church in 1918. It was then called the Mission Church San Juan Capistrano. The Serra Chapel was used for church services. This chapel is the oldest church building still standing in California. It's also the only place where St. Junipero Serra is known to have said Mass. The mission's first stone church was destroyed in an earthquake in 1812.
Why a New Church Was Needed
Over the years, people tried to fix the old church. But these efforts sometimes caused more damage. Father O'Sullivan wanted to build a new church. He imagined it would look like the old stone church. However, he was not able to build it before he passed away in 1933.
Later, in 1976, Father Paul Martin became the new pastor. By this time, many more Catholic families lived in the area. The Serra Chapel was too small for all the people. A new, larger church was clearly needed for the growing community.
Building the New Basilica
People started raising money for the new church in 1981. They held pledge drives and collected donations from visitors to the mission. The first church service in the new building happened on Christmas in 1984. However, the construction was not fully finished until two years later.
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The very first Mass in the completed church was on October 23, 1986. The building was officially dedicated on February 8, 1987. Timothy Cardinal Manning led the special dedication ceremony.
Design and Art
How the Church Looks
The Mission Basilica was designed to look like the mission's original stone church from 1806. But it is not an exact copy. John Bartlett was the architect who designed it. Joseph Byron, Jr. helped build it.
The inside of the church is very beautiful. Norman Neuerberg, a historian, designed the interior. He also painted much of the art on the walls. This art makes the church feel special and sacred.
The Grand Retablo
A very important part of the basilica is the Grand Retablo. This is a huge, decorative screen behind the altar. It is 42-foot-high (13 m) and 30-foot-wide (9.1 m). It weighs 16 tons! The Retablo is carved from cedar wood and covered in shiny gold leaf. Its style reminds people of Spanish and Mexican art from the 1600s and 1700s.
The main part of the Retablo shows the Trinity. This includes the crucifix, God the Father (shown as an old man), and the Holy Spirit (shown as a dove). Below the Trinity is Our Lady of Guadalupe.
There are also four important saints on the Retablo:
- Saint Francis of Assisi: He is the patron saint of the Franciscan order, who founded the mission.
- Saint Joseph: A very important saint in the Catholic Church.
- Saint Junípero Serra: He was the founder of the original mission.
- Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: She is important to the Native American people in the area.
Eighty-four skilled artists created the Retablo. They made it in many pieces at the Talleres de Arte Granda workshop in Madrid, Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Misión Basílica de San Juan Capistrano para niños
