Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral

Location in Nevada Show map of Nevada Location in the United States Show map of the United States
39°31′33″N 119°49′03″W / 39.5258°N 119.8174°W / 39.5258; -119.8174
Location	310 W. 2nd St. Reno, Nevada
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
History
Founded	1907
Dedication	Thomas Aquinas
Consecrated	1908
Architecture
Style	Neoclassical
Groundbreaking	1906
Completed	1908
Specifications
Number of spires	Two
Administration
Diocese	Reno

The Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral is a very important church for the Roman Catholic Church in Nevada, United States. It is located at 310 W. 2nd Street in Reno. This church is known as the "mother church" for the Diocese of Reno. A diocese is like a special area that a bishop leads.

The cathedral was built in 1908 because more and more Catholic people were moving to Reno. They needed a bigger church to gather in. Sadly, a big fire almost destroyed the cathedral in 1909. But it was fixed up and reopened the very next year. In 2022, the church and its nearby buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.

History of the Cathedral
Gallery
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History of the Cathedral

Building the Church

On May 21, 1906, Catholic leaders bought a house in Reno. It was located at the corner of Second and Chestnut (now Arlington) streets. They paid $10,000 for the land. This spot was chosen to be the home of the new St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral.

The first stone, called a cornerstone, was placed in June 1906. This was the start of building the church. The cathedral was officially opened on June 21, 1908.

Fire and Rebuilding

A big fire happened on December 21, 1909. It caused a lot of damage to the cathedral. The ceiling even fell in! But the church was saved and fixed. It was able to open again in 1910.

Becoming a Cathedral

In 1931, a very important church leader, Pope Pius XI, made a big decision. He chose the first Bishop of Reno, Thomas Kiely Gorman. This created the Diocese of Reno. When a diocese is created, its main church becomes a "cathedral." A special chair for the bishop was put in the church. This chair is still there today.

Changes Over Time

The cathedral has been updated several times. In the 1950s, a beautiful mural was added. A mural is a large painting on a wall. This one wraps around the altar area. The altar is where the priest leads the church service.

In 2010, the church had a major repair project. They worked to make the building's foundation stronger. This helps the church stay safe and stable for many years.

The Beautiful Mural

The large mural painting in the church is very special. Many people think it is one of the best artworks of its kind in America. It was painted by two artists, Edith and Isabel Piczek. The painting shows the "Adoration of the Lamb of God." This means it shows people worshipping Jesus, who is called the Lamb of God.

The mural shows many important figures from the Bible. On one side, you can see saints from the Old Testament. These include Moses and Abraham. On the other side are saints from the New Testament. These include Peter and John.

Who Leads the Cathedral?

For many years, different groups of priests have helped lead the cathedral. From 1980 to 1986, priests from the Dominican Order lived and worked there. Then, from 1986 to 2018, the Conventual Franciscans helped run the church.

On July 1, 2018, Reverend Charles (Chuck) Durante became the main priest, called the Rector, of the cathedral. He has a special connection to this church. When he was a young boy, he received his first communion and confirmation there. When he became a priest, he led his first mass at the cathedral. It was his home church for over 35 years before he became its Rector. Fr. Beda Martirez is also a priest who helps at the cathedral.