Saltillo Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. James Cathedral |
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|---|---|
| Catedral de Santiago | |
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| Location | Saltillo |
| Country |  Mexico |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
The St. James Cathedral (also known as Spanish: Catedral de Santiago) is a very important Catholic church in Saltillo, Mexico. It is often called the Saltillo Cathedral. You can find it in the city's old downtown area, right across from the main square called Plaza de Armas.
This cathedral is a beautiful example of architecture in the state of Coahuila. It stands out as the tallest cathedral in northern Mexico. It is also one of the tallest cathedrals in the entire country.
Building History
The St. James Cathedral was started next to an older church. Construction began in 1745. A priest named Felipe Suárez de Estrada helped get the project going. Nicolás Hernández designed the plans for this new, much larger church.
The building took a long time to finish. It was finally completed in the year 1800.
Becoming a Cathedral
The church became a cathedral on June 23, 1891. This happened when Pope Leo XIII created the Diocese of Saltillo. A diocese is a special area managed by a bishop. The church was chosen to be the main church for this new diocese. This is when it officially became a cathedral.
The tall tower of the cathedral was started later, in 1883. At first, the building was just called a chapel. But in 1951, it was officially given the name "cathedral."
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Saltillo para niños
