St. Agnes Cathedral (Rockville Centre, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Agnes Cathedral |
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 Location in New York
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| 40°39′35.3″N 73°38′46.64″W / 40.659806°N 73.6462889°W | |
| Location | 29 Quealy Place Rockville Centre, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Gustave E. Steinbeck |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1933 |
| Completed | 1935 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | One |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Rockville Centre |
St. Agnes Cathedral is a large and important Catholic church located in Rockville Centre, New York. It's on Long Island and serves as the main church, or "seat," for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. This means it's where the Bishop of the Diocese, currently Bishop John Oliver Barres, has his official church. The Saint Agnes Cathedral School is also right there on the church's property.
History of St. Agnes Cathedral
The St. Agnes community started in 1887. At first, people gathered for Mass in a blacksmith's shop. They even used an anvil as the altar! By 1890, more people joined, so they moved to a larger rented hall. Later, they used an old school building as their church.
The St. Agnes Parish was officially created in 1894 by Bishop Charles Edward McDonnell. In 1905, a new church made of white marble was built. However, the number of church members kept growing. This meant the marble church soon became too small. So, in 1933, they began to take it down to build an even bigger church.
The current St. Agnes Cathedral building was finished in 1935. In 1957, Pope Pius XII announced the creation of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He chose Most Reverend Walter P. Kellenberg to be its first bishop. The Cathedral building got a big update in 1981. During this time, daily Mass was held at a nearby Episcopal church. A very special visitor, Mother Teresa, came to the Cathedral in 1986 and spoke at a prayer service.
In 2004, the St. Agnes Parish Center opened its doors. This center is used for many church activities. In 2007, the Cathedral helped celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The St. Agnes Cathedral School, which started in 1917, has also been very important to the growth of the church community.
In August 2020, Bishop John O. Barres chose Reverend Michael F. Duffy to be the new Rector of St. Agnes Cathedral. At 35 years old, he is the youngest rector in the Cathedral's history.
Music and the Organ at St. Agnes
For many years, St. Agnes Cathedral did not have a large pipe organ. The first pipe organ was built in the 1930s and was used until 1972. To save money for the church schools, a temporary electronic organ was put in.
Later, a small pipe organ was moved to the Lower Church. To celebrate the year 2000, plans were made for a new, big pipe organ. This new organ was installed in 2001 by The Wicks Organ Company. It is special because parts of it are in three different places in the Cathedral. This helps the organ support the congregation, choirs, and other church leaders.
St. Agnes Cathedral has three different choirs:
- The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, started in 1957.
- The Junior and Senior Divisions of the Cathedral Girls Choir.
- The Cathedral Chorale and Schola Cantorum.
These choirs are led by Mr. Michael L. Bower.
On May 1, 2019, St. Michael's Choir School visited St. Agnes Cathedral. They performed a concert as part of their New York Tour. They sang with the Cathedral and Diocesan Choirs of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Cathedral Leaders
The Cathedral has several important leaders who guide the church community.
- Bishop: The Most Reverend John Oliver Barres is the Bishop of Rockville Centre. He is the main leader of the entire Diocese.
- Parish Clergy: These are the priests who work directly at St. Agnes Cathedral.
- Very Rev. Michael F. Duffy is the Rector, which means he is the head priest of the Cathedral parish.
- Rev. Alessandro da Luz, S.T.L., and Rev. Anthony Twum are Associate Pastors. They help the Rector with daily church duties.
- In Residence: These clergy members live at the Cathedral but may have other duties for the Diocese.
- Most Rev. William F. Murphy is the former Bishop of the Diocese.
- Very Rev. Lachlan Cameron, S.T.L., is the Vicar for Clergy, helping other priests.
- Rev. Matthew Browne, S.T.L., is the Bishop's Delegate for Education.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa Inés (Rockville Centre) para niños
