Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral (Alaska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Our Lady of GuadalupeCathedral |
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Interior in 2024
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 Location in Anchorage
Location in Alaska
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| 61°11′5.74″N 149°56′38.56″W / 61.1849278°N 149.9440444°W | |
| Location | 3900 Wisconsin St. Anchorage, Alaska  |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Co-cathedral/Parish |
| Dedication | Our Lady of Guadalupe |
| Dedicated | 2005 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Architects Alaska |
| Style | Mission Revival |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | Two |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Anchorage-Juneau |
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral is an important Catholic Church building. It is located in Anchorage, Alaska, in the United States. This church serves as the main cathedral for the Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau. It is where the archbishop has his official seat. The cathedral shares this role with the Co-Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juneau. From 2014 to 2020, Our Lady of Guadalupe was a co-cathedral for the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
History of the Cathedral
The Our Lady of Guadalupe church community started in the 1970s. At first, the members met in a Methodist church. They saved money to build their own multi-purpose building. This building included a space for worship.
The current church building was finished in 2005. It was designed by a company called Architects Alaska. The building's style is called Spanish Mission Revival. This style looks like old Spanish missions.
Becoming a Co-Cathedral
The main cathedral in Anchorage, Holy Family Cathedral, was getting too small. It was also in a busy downtown area. Because of this, it became difficult to hold many important church events there.
In 2013, Archbishop Roger Schwietz asked the Holy See (the Pope's main office) for a change. He wanted Our Lady of Guadalupe Church to become a co-cathedral. This would mean Holy Family would remain a historic cathedral. The Holy See approved this request in October 2014.
On December 12, 2014, the Our Lady of Guadalupe church became a co-cathedral. This date is also the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Archbishop Schwietz led the special ceremony. Other important church leaders also attended. These included Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, who was the Pope's representative in the United States. The special chair used by Pope John Paul II in 1981 was placed in the church. This chair is called a cathedra and is a symbol of the bishop's authority. A new cross, made from a linden tree, was also created for the co-cathedral.
Becoming the Main Cathedral
In 2020, Pope Francis made a big change for the Catholic Church in Alaska. He combined the Archdiocese of Anchorage and the Diocese of Juneau. This created a new, larger area called the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau.
On September 17, 2020, a special ceremony took place. During this event, a document from the Pope was read. This document officially named Our Lady of Guadalupe as the main cathedral for the new archdiocese. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juneau became its co-cathedral.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Anchorage) para niños
