Sacred Heart Cathedral (Rochester, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacred Heart Cathedral |
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Sacred Heart Cathedral in 2013
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 Location in New York
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| 43°11′35″N 77°37′58″W / 43.1931°N 77.6329°W | |
| Location | 296 Flower City Park Rochester, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1925 |
| Completed | 1927 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Cathedral Community |
| Deanery | Monroe Central |
| Diocese | Rochester |
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a beautiful Catholic cathedral located in Rochester, New York, United States. It is known as the "Mother Church" for the Diocese of Rochester. This means it's the main church for the area and where the diocesan bishop has his special seat. It's also home to a lively church community, currently called the Cathedral Community at The Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Early Catholic Churches in Rochester
The first Catholic church in Rochester was St. Patrick's, started in 1823. When the Diocese of Rochester was created in 1868, St. Patrick's became the first cathedral.
Around 1914, the Eastman Kodak Company built its main office right next to St. Patrick's. Over time, Kodak grew bigger in the area. In 1937, the diocese sold St. Patrick's Cathedral to Eastman Kodak. The old church building was taken down that same year.
Building Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Sacred Heart parish began in 1911. The first stone for the current church building was placed in 1925. A Chicago architect named Charles H. Prindeville designed the church. It was finished in 1927.
When St. Patrick's was sold, Sacred Heart became the temporary cathedral, called a pro-cathedral. In 1952, it officially became the full cathedral for the diocese.
Modern Renovation of the Cathedral
Why the Cathedral Was Updated
In January 2005, the diocese finished a big renovation of the cathedral. This project took about 18 months and cost $11 million. A special consultant named Fr. Richard S. Vosko helped guide the changes.
The main goal was to make the church feel more welcoming and help everyone feel more involved in the services.
What Changed Inside
Many things were updated during the renovation:
- The altar, which is a special table, was moved from the front to the center of the church. This helps people feel closer to the service.
- A large statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was moved. A new organ was put in its place.
- The choir, who sing during services, now stands where the altar used to be, so everyone can see them.
- A new font for baptisms was placed in the main aisle. This allows the whole community to be part of baptisms.
- The old wooden benches, called pews, were replaced with padded chairs. This makes seating more flexible for different events.
- The tabernacle, where the Eucharist is kept, was moved to a quiet side chapel.
Different Views on the Renovation
The renovation caused some discussion. Some people who loved the traditional look of the church were surprised by the changes. They felt the updates were very different from how the church used to be. They also wondered about the cost of the renovation.
The Cathedral Organ
The Sacred Heart Cathedral has a beautiful organ. It is called Opus 26 and was built by Paul Fritts & Company. This organ has three keyboards and 53 different sets of pipes, making a wide range of sounds. It uses a special mechanical system for its keys.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral del Sagrado Corazón (Rochester) para niños
