Saint-Germain Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint-Germain Cathedral |
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| 48°27′03″N 68°31′39″W / 48.4509°N 68.5276°W | |
| Location | Rimouski, Quebec |
| Country | Canada |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Consecrated | 28 May 1853 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Bien culturel du Québec, National Historic Sites of Canada |
| Architectural type | Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rimouski |
| Province | Canada |
The Saint-Germain Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Rimouski, Québec, Canada. It serves as the main church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rimouski. This means it's like the "home base" church for the bishop and many other churches in the area.
Contents
History of Saint-Germain Cathedral
When was the Cathedral Built?
The Saint-Germain Cathedral was officially made a cathedral on January 15, 1867. This happened thanks to Jean Langevin, who was the very first bishop of Rimouski. The church itself was blessed and opened on May 28, 1853.
How Did the Cathedral Survive the "Red Night" Fire?
On May 6, 1950, a huge fire, known as the nuit rouge (which means "Red Night"), swept through Rimouski. Almost half of the town was destroyed! The fire started at a sawmill owned by the Price Brothers Company.
Amazingly, the cathedral was saved from the flames. There's a popular story that a priest sprinkled holy water around the cathedral. People believe that the fire then refused to cross this line, protecting the church from harm.
Design and Architecture of the Cathedral
What Does the Outside of the Cathedral Look Like?
The outside of the Saint-Germain Cathedral shows a neo-Gothic style. This means it looks like old Gothic churches but with some newer touches. You can see pointed arch windows, which are often decorated with beautiful stained glass. The building also has strong supports called buttresses and tall, pointy decorations called pinnacles.
The outside walls are built using grey stones, giving the cathedral a strong and classic look.
What Does the Inside of the Cathedral Look Like?
The inside of the cathedral also has a Gothic feel. The ceiling is very high and looks like a diagonal rib vault. This design makes the ceiling appear grand and impressive.
The main part of the ceiling is about 28 meters (90 feet) high. Another part of the ceiling inside is about 18 meters (60 feet) high.
Special Features of the Cathedral
In 1891, three large bells were put into the cathedral. Together, these bells weigh a total of 1,641 kilograms! The cathedral is also famous for its amazing Casavant Frères organ. These organs are known worldwide for their beautiful sound.
A talented architect named Joseph J.B. Verret designed the Bishop's Palace in 1901. This building was made for Monseigneur André-Albert Blais, who was the bishop of the Saint-Germain Roman Catholic Cathedral at the time.
Images for kids
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The beautiful Saint-Germain Cathedral in Rimouski.
See also
- In Spanish: Catedral de San Germán (Rimouski) para niños
