St. Augustine Church (Philadelphia) facts for kids
|
St. Augustine's Catholic Church
|
|
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | 4th and New Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1847 |
| Architect | Napoleon LeBrun |
| Architectural style | Palladian |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001670 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | June 15, 1976 |
St. Augustine Catholic Church, also known as Olde St. Augustine's, is a very old and important Catholic church. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. This beautiful church was finished in 1848. It was designed by Napoleon LeBrun in a style called Palladian. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special historical site.
The church you see today was built to replace an older one. The first St. Augustine Church was finished in 1801. It was the first church in the United States built by the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine. The original church even held the "Sister Bell," which was made to replace the Liberty Bell. Sadly, this first church was burned down on May 8, 1844. This happened during the Philadelphia Nativist Riots, which were against Catholics.
The church leaders then sued the city of Philadelphia. They said the city did not protect the church enough. The money they won was used to build the church we see now. Construction for the new church started on May 27, 1847. Groups started by the church later helped create both Villanova University and the famous Philadelphia Orchestra.
Contents
A Look Back: The Old Church
Two priests, Father Matthew Carr and Father John Rosseter, came to Philadelphia. They were sent by the Roman Catholic Church to buy land. Their goal was to build a new church in the city. St. Augustine's Church began being built in 1796. It was designed by Nicholas FitzMaurice Fagan. This was the first church in the United States for the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine.
Building the church took a long time. There were delays because of yellow fever outbreaks among the workers. They also had problems getting enough money. Finally, the church was finished in 1801. Many important people helped pay for it. These included President George Washington and John Barry. The biggest gift, $200, came from a merchant named John Leamy.
In 1811, a boys' school called St. Augustine Academy was started. This school had the biggest library of religious books in the city. The famous Villanova University actually started from this very academy. The church also became a popular place for music. In 1820, a music event was held there to raise money. It brought musicians and attention from all over the United States.
In 1829, a small dome (called a cupola) and a tower were added to the church. A special bell, known as the "Sister Bell," was placed in this tower. This bell had been made to replace the cracked Liberty Bell. It was loaned to the church by Independence Hall in the late 1820s.
By the 1840s, many Irish Catholic immigrants were moving to Philadelphia. They were settling in the city very quickly. In 1838, half of the church's members were born in Ireland. Only a small part of them were born in the United States. This growth of immigrants and Catholics caused problems. Groups who were against immigrants and Catholics grew stronger. Rumors spread that Catholics wanted to ban the Bible from public schools. This led to the Nativist Riots of 1844.
Violence started on May 6 in the Kensington District. On May 8, a large crowd gathered outside St. Augustine's Church. City troops were near the church. Mayor John Morin Scott asked the rioters to calm down. But they threw rocks at him, and the church was set on fire. The church was completely destroyed. The crowd cheered when the cupola fell. The St. Augustine Academy, with its many rare books, was also destroyed.
Building the Current Church
After the church was destroyed, the people of St. Augustine's could use Old St. Joseph's Church for three months. Then, a new temporary church was built. It was called the chapel of Our Lady of Consolation. This chapel was dedicated on October 27, 1844. It was next to where St. Augustine's would be rebuilt. This chapel was later taken down in 1871.
The friars of St. Augustine sued the city of Philadelphia. They said the city did not protect the church enough during the riots. They asked for $80,000 to cover the damage. The city argued that the friars could not claim their rights were violated. They said the Augustinian Order was a foreign group under the Pope. The city also said that friars take a vow of poverty. This meant they could not own property.
But the Augustinians proved that their Order was officially recognized in the U.S. in 1804. They were then given $45,000 by the city. This money helped them rebuild.
The first stone for the new church was laid on May 27, 1847. The church was finished in December 1848. Bishop Francis Kenrick officially dedicated the church. Archbishop John Hughes led a special High Mass on November 5, 1848. The church continued to be a very important place for music. A music director at St. Augustine's started the Choral Society of Philadelphia. This group, along with other musicians from the church, helped create the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1900. The first time George Frideric Handel's famous Messiah was performed in Philadelphia, it was at this church.
On June 15, 1976, St. Augustine's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. By 1988, the number of people attending St. Augustine's had become very small. But in the 1990s, the church grew again. Many Filipino Catholics from Philadelphia and nearby towns joined. In December 1992, an exact copy of Santo Niño de Cebú was dedicated there. Filipinos now hold special masses and festivals for Santo Niño.
Also in December 1992, a big storm badly damaged the church's steeple. Parts of the steeple fell onto the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The bridge had to be closed for three days. The damaged steeple had to be taken apart and removed. Water got into the church through the damaged roof. This caused damage to the church and the art inside. A new steeple was put up on October 18, 1995.
St. Augustine's Church has also been featured in movies! It appeared in the 1999 thriller The Sixth Sense. It was also in the 2007 action movie Shooter. In 2019, the church was seen in the film 21 Bridges.
Church Design and Architecture
The first St. Augustine Church was designed by Nicholas FitzMaurice Fagan. His father-in-law, John Walsh, who sold lumber, provided most of the wood for the church. This church was designed in a Roman Style. It was twenty-five feet long and sixty-two feet wide. Inside, it had a life-sized statue of the Crucifixion. This statue was made in 1810 by the sculptor William Rush. The tower and cupola added in 1829 were designed by William Strickland. He also designed other famous buildings in Philadelphia.
The church you see today was designed by architect Napoleon LeBrun. He also designed the Academy of Music. This church is a great example of Palladian architecture. The main altar is made of white marble. It has shiny Mexican onyx pillars around the tabernacle. An archway supported by Corinthian columns frames the altar. Above the altar, there is a domed skylight. Beautiful stained-glass windows are found throughout the church. Each window is dedicated to a different saint. They let in colorful light.
-
Interior, in 2014
-
Ceiling mural, in 2014
-
St. Augustine's Academy (1870), 427 Vine Street, in 2013
Education
St. Mary Interparochial Grade School is the main grade school for children connected to St. Augustine's.
See also
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- List of churches in Philadelphia
