Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica |
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St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in 2008
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 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| 30°04′40″N 94°06′03″W / 30.0777°N 94.1009°W | |
| Location | 700 Jefferson St. Beaumont, Texas |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral - Minor Basilica |
| Dedication | Anthony of Padua |
| Dedicated | January 27, 1907 |
| Architecture | |
| Groundbreaking | 1903 |
| Completed | 1907 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Beaumont |
The Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica is a very important church located in Beaumont, Texas. It serves as the main church, called a cathedral, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont. In 2006, this special church was given the title of a minor basilica. This means it has a close connection to the Pope and the Vatican.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Early Beginnings
The story of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica began a long time ago, in 1853. At that time, Catholic priests rode horses to reach and help the people living around the port of Beaumont.
In 1879, a church called St. Louis Church was built. This was the first official Catholic community in Beaumont. St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica is the church that grew from this early community.
In 1901, after a big oil discovery called the Lucas Oil Boom, more people moved to Beaumont. A new, larger church was needed. The name of the church community was changed from St. Louis to St. Anthony. The first stone for the new St. Anthony Church was blessed in 1903, and the church was officially opened in 1907.
Later, in 1966, the Diocese of Beaumont was created. This is a special area managed by a bishop. When this happened, St. Anthony Church became a cathedral. This means it became the main church for the new diocese.
Changes and Improvements
Over the years, the church building has been updated many times. The first big changes inside the church happened in 1937. Beautiful stained-glass windows were added. Also, special paintings were placed behind the altar.
In 1972, more big changes were made. A new altar was placed so the priest could face the people during services. A special chair for the bishop was also added. The art inside the church was refreshed, and the wooden pews were restored. New carpet, lighting, and sound systems were installed. Outside, the grounds were improved, and the copper dome was repaired. A large organ with 2,500 pipes was also put in.
Later, in 1991, a new center and office building for the cathedral were built. More repairs and updates to the cathedral happened in 1998. Then, in the early 2000s, a major renovation of the church's worship area took place. The historic Saint Anthony Cathedral was rededicated in 2004.
Becoming a Minor Basilica
On July 11, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI recognized how important Saint Anthony Cathedral was. He declared it a minor basilica. This was a very special honor!
To celebrate this, two unique items were brought to the basilica: a papal ombrellino (a special umbrella) and a papal tintinnabulum (a special bell). These items were officially placed in the church on October 21, 2007.
The papal ombrellino (basilica umbrella) was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI himself in 2007. This half-opened umbrella is made of beautiful red and gold silk. It has embroidered shields on it, showing symbols of the Pope, the Diocese of Beaumont, and the Cathedral Basilica. Long ago, fully opened umbrellas like this were used to protect the Pope from the weather during parades in Rome. Today, the ombrellino stands half-opened in minor basilicas around the world. It's a symbol that the basilica is like a "home away from home" for the Pope, waiting for his arrival.
The papal tintinnabulum (basilica bell) was also blessed by Pope Benedict XVI. This fancy bell was made in Italy. It sits on a beautifully carved wooden stand decorated with symbols of the Pope, like the papal keys and crown. The stand also has three lilies, which represent St. Anthony's purity. There's also a Gospel book and flame, showing St. Anthony's powerful preaching. Four wheat stalks symbolize St. Anthony's kindness in feeding the poor. This bell was once used in papal parades in Rome. Now, it shows the strong connection between the minor basilica and the Pope.
The basilica also has a special item from Pope John Paul II. It is a zucchetto, which is a small skullcap he wore and signed.
Historic Recognition
The important history of the cathedral basilica has been recognized by others. In 1975, the City of Beaumont called it a heritage site. Then, in 1980, the Texas Historical Commission named it a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral basílica de San Antonio (Beaumont) para niños
