Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral |
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 Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| 39°31′33″N 119°49′03″W / 39.5258°N 119.8174°W | |
| 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 in Reno, Nevada, USA. It's like the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno. This beautiful building is located at 310 W. 2nd Street. It was built in 1908 because more and more Catholic people in Reno needed a bigger place to worship.
Just a year after it opened, in 1909, a fire almost destroyed the cathedral. Luckily, it was fixed up and reopened in 1910. The entire church area, including other buildings, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. This means it's a special place that is protected for its history.
Contents
The Cathedral's Story
Building the Church
On May 21, 1906, Catholic leaders bought land in Reno for $10,000. This land, at Second and Chestnut (now Arlington) streets, was chosen for the new St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral. The first stone, called a cornerstone, was placed in June 1906. The cathedral was officially opened on June 21, 1908.
Fire and Rebuilding
Sadly, a big fire happened on December 21, 1909. It caused a lot of damage, and the ceiling even fell in. But the church was saved and reopened in 1910.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 1931, Pope Pius XI chose Thomas Kiely Gorman to be the first Bishop of Reno. This created the Diocese of Reno. When this happened, the church became known as a cathedral. A special chair for the bishop was put in, and it's still there today.
Changes Over Time
The cathedral has been updated several times. In the 1950s, a large painting called a mural was added around the altar. This mural is considered a very beautiful piece of art. In 2010, the church's foundation was strengthened to make it more stable.
The Beautiful Mural
The amazing mural painting in the church was created by Edith and Isabel Piczek. It shows the "Adoration of the Lamb of God," which is about people worshiping Jesus in the Eucharist. The painting includes many important figures from the Bible. On the left, you can see people from the Old Testament like Abel, Moses, Ruth, Abraham, and Isaac. Other figures like Melchisedech, David, Nathan, Malachias, Anna the Prophetess, and John the Baptist are also shown.
On the right side of the painting, you'll find saints from the New Testament. These include Peter, John, and Paul. You can also see Augustine of Hippo, Clare of Assisi, Charles Borromeo, Paschal Baylon, and Pope Pius X. Pope Pius X is shown encouraging a modern family to receive communion.
Who Leads the Cathedral?
For many years, different priests from the Diocese led the cathedral. From 1980 to 1986, a group called the Dominican Order lived and worked at the church. Then, from 1986 until June 2018, the Conventual Franciscans (OFM) were in charge.
On July 1, 2018, Reverend Charles (Chuck) Durante became the new leader, called the Rector, of the Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral. Bishop Randolph Calvo chose him for this role. It was a special return for Father Chuck, as he received his first communion and confirmation at this very cathedral when he was young. He also said his first mass there after becoming a priest. The cathedral was his home church for over 35 years before he became its Rector. Father Arlon Vergara, OSA, is also a priest who helps at the church.
Images for kids
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Eucharistic Adoration
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Statue of St. Francis of Assisi
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The copper front door
More to Explore
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santo Tomás de Aquino para niños
