St. Bernard Church (Rockville, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Bernard Church |
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St. Bernard Church, January 2011
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| Location | 25 St. Bernard Terrace Rockville, Connecticut |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1854 |
| Dedicated | September 20, 1908 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Joseph A. Jackson |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Norwich |
| Province | Hartford |
St. Bernard Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located in the town of Rockville, Connecticut. As a Roman Catholic church, it is part of a worldwide Christian community led by the Pope. This church belongs to the Diocese of Norwich.
Contents
History of the Church
The story of St. Bernard Church begins over 170 years ago with a small group of people. Over the years, the community grew, faced challenges, and built the beautiful church that stands today.
Early Beginnings
In 1848, the first Catholic Mass in Rockville was held in a house owned by a local paper mill. Only 15 people attended. But as more Catholic families moved to the area, they needed a bigger space to worship.
By 1853, the group was meeting in a hall above a meat market. Soon after, in 1854, the Parish of St. Bernard was officially created. By 1856, the community had built its very first church building.
A New Church from the Ashes
In 1904, a terrible fire completely destroyed the first church. While a new one was being built, the church members used the local Town Hall for their services.
Just five months after the fire, the cornerstone for the new church was laid. A cornerstone is a special stone in a building's foundation, often laid during a ceremony. The chapel in the basement was finished first and used for Mass. The main, upper part of the church was finally completed and dedicated on September 20, 1908.
Architecture and Buildings
The current St. Bernard Church was built in 1908. It is designed in a style called Gothic Revival. This style is known for its pointed arches, tall spires, and large windows, inspired by churches from the Middle Ages.
The architect who designed the church was Joseph A. Jackson, a famous church architect from New York City. He had also designed the parish school in 1895. The church, school, and a nearby convent are all considered important historic buildings in Rockville.
Music at St. Bernard's
Music is an important part of the church's services. The church originally had a pipe organ made by Austin Organs in the early 1900s. It was one of the first organs the company ever built.
Over many years, the old pipe organ wore out. In 2008, it was replaced with a modern digital organ. However, the pipes from the original Austin organ were saved. The church hopes to one day connect them to the new organ to bring the historic sound back to life.
