St. Mary's Cathedral (Portland, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Mary's Cathedral |
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| St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception | |
The cathedral in 2023
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 St. Mary's Cathedral
Location in Portland, Oregon
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| 45°31′26″N 122°41′20″W / 45.5239°N 122.6890°W | |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedicated | February 14, 1926 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Portland in Oregon |
St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a very important church in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is the main church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, serving Catholic people in western Oregon.
Contents
History of St. Mary's Cathedral
Building this church started in 1925. Archbishop Alexander Christie gave permission for it to be built. People from all over the area helped. The new church opened very quickly, on February 14, 1926. The first church services happened a few days later, on February 19, 1926.
Cathedral Restoration Work
In 1993, people decided the cathedral needed some repairs. A company called Thomas Hacker and Associates made a plan. The church was fixed up for a big celebration in 1996. This was the 150th birthday of the Portland Archdiocese. The repairs made the building stronger against earthquakes. They also updated the electricity, heating, and lights. Some art and church areas were also changed.
Art and Decorations
The church has beautiful marble statues. These statues show Mary and the Sacred Heart. They were carved in Switzerland. Benedictine monks brought them to an older church first. The glass doors at the entrance have small symbols. These symbols represent the seven Sacraments.
Special Windows and Chairs
The large windows in the side sections of the church are very old. They were made in the 1870s. These windows came from two older cathedrals. The Archbishop's Chair also came from an earlier church.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are special pictures or carvings. They show the journey of Jesus. These particular Stations of the Cross have been in the cathedral since it was first built.
Building Style and Details
The church was designed by Jacobberger and Smith. Its style mixes 20th-century Romanesque and Byzantine designs. It has a red tiled roof and strong stone columns. There is also a square tower with copper decorations.
Inside the Cathedral
The marble floor in the curved area at the front of the church was put in in 1926. The rest of the marble floor in the church is newer. It has a pattern made from different types of Italian marble. The main doors are made of white oak wood. They have cast bronze details on the outside.
Special Signs and Symbols
The letters on the granite sign outside are like old Roman letters. They are similar to those found on the Trajan monument in Rome. The sign also shows the coat of arms for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. This is like the official symbol for the church area.
Church Bells
The three bells in the tower are very old. They were made in the late 1880s. They were first used in an older cathedral. Until 2017, people had to ring the bells by hand. Now, they have special motors that ring them. The bells make sounds at specific musical notes: D¹, F¹, and Ab¹.
See also
