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 Roman Catholic church in Rockville Centre, New York, on Long Island. A cathedral is the main church of a diocese, which is an area managed by a bishop. St. Agnes is the main church for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
The leader of the diocese is Bishop John Oliver Barres. He also serves as the pastor of the cathedral. Located right next to the cathedral is The Saint Agnes Cathedral School.
Contents
From a Blacksmith Shop to a Grand Cathedral
The community of St. Agnes started in 1887. The very first church service, called a Mass, was held in a blacksmith's workshop. The blacksmith's anvil was even used as the altar! As more people joined, they needed more space. The group moved from the workshop to a rented hall and then to an old school building.
In 1894, the Bishop of Brooklyn officially created the Parish of St. Agnes. By 1905, the community built its first real church made of white marble. But the town's Catholic population kept growing. The marble church soon became too small. In 1933, work began to build a new, larger church.
A New Building and a New Role
The beautiful brick cathedral that stands today was finished in 1935. It was built in a style called Gothic Revival, which is known for its pointed arches and tall spires, like castles from long ago.
In 1957, the church was given a very important job. It became the cathedral for the newly formed Diocese of Rockville Centre. This made it the central church for all Catholics in the area.
Over the years, the cathedral has had many important moments. In 1986, the world-famous Mother Teresa visited and spoke to a large crowd. In 2007, the cathedral celebrated the 50th anniversary of the diocese.
The Music of St. Agnes
Music is a big part of life at St. Agnes Cathedral. The church has a magnificent pipe organ and several choirs.
The Cathedral's Pipe Organ
For a long time, the cathedral used an electronic organ because its original pipe organ from the 1930s was old. But for the Jubilee Year in 2000, the church decided to get a brand-new pipe organ.
In 2001, the Wicks Organ Company built and installed the new organ. It's so large that its pipes are placed in three different spots inside the cathedral. This helps the music fill the entire space and sound amazing from anywhere you sit.
Talented Choirs
St. Agnes Cathedral is home to several choirs that sing during services and special events. These groups include:
- The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, which started in 1957.
- The Cathedral Girls Choir, which has younger (Junior) and older (Senior) groups.
- The Cathedral Chorale and Schola Cantorum, for adult singers.
These choirs are led by the Director of Music, Mr. Michael L. Bower. They often perform in special concerts. In 2019, they even sang with the famous St. Michael's Choir School from Canada during their New York tour.
Leaders at the Cathedral
A cathedral has many religious leaders who help run the church and serve the community.
- Bishop: The Most Reverend John Oliver Barres is the Bishop of Rockville Centre. A bishop is a high-ranking priest who oversees a diocese.
- Rector: The Very Reverend Michael F. Duffy is the rector. A rector is the priest in charge of managing a cathedral. He was appointed in 2020.
- Other Clergy: Many other priests and deacons also work at the cathedral. They help with church services, education, and community activities.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa Inés (Rockville Centre) para niños
