St. Mary's Catholic Church (Helena-West Helena, Arkansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Mary's Catholic Church
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 Location in Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 123 Columbia, Helena-West Helena, Arkansas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Charles Eames |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 06001278 |
| Added to NRHP | January 24, 2007 |
St. Mary Church is a Catholic church located in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas. It is part of the Diocese of Little Rock. This church is an important building in the community. You can find it at 123 Columbia Street.
Contents
History of St. Mary Church
Early Catholic Community
Catholic missionaries started working in the Helena area in the early 1800s. The first Catholic church in Helena was built in 1854. Sadly, a group of people who were against Catholics at the time burned it down. A new wooden church was built in 1856.
The church finally got its first full-time priest, Father Patrick Behan, on July 18, 1858. He was appointed by Bishop Andrew Byrne, who was the first Bishop of Arkansas.
Growth and Schools
More and more Irish American immigrants moved to the area. This helped the church community grow. In 1857, a group of nuns called the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrived. Bishop Byrne invited them. He bought 10 acres of land in Helena for them. They built a convent and a Catholic school there. This school became known as Sacred Heart Academy.
The school moved to a new building in 1918. However, after World War II, fewer students enrolled. The school closed its doors in 1968. The building was taken down in 1973. The Sisters then gave the land to the church. Today, this land is used as the church's parking lot.
The wooden church was replaced with a brick church in 1889. This church was near the school. It served the community until 1934. That's when construction began on the large brick church that stands today.
Architecture and Design
A Unique Design
The current St. Mary Church was designed by a famous architect named Charles Eames. He worked with his partner Robert Walsh on the design in 1934. They also designed another St. Mary's Church in Paragould, Arkansas.
At that time, a style called Renaissance Revival was popular. But Eames chose a simpler style for St. Mary's. He believed it looked more like churches from early Christian times. The church is made of brick and painted a soft rose color.
Inside the Church
Inside, the main part of the church, called the nave, has beautiful stained glass windows. These windows were made by Emil Frei. You might also notice the cool brass hanging lamps. They are shaped like dark globes and were designed by Eames himself. The church's tall steeple, strong buttresses, and arched doorways remind people of old European buildings. Behind the main altar is a large mural. It is painted in earthy colors by Charles F. Quest.
Eames' Career Boost
Designing St. Mary's Church was a very important step in Charles Eames' career. The church's pews might have been the first time he designed furniture to be made in large numbers.
Even more importantly, a magazine called Architectural Forum wrote about the church. This article caught the eye of another famous architect, Eliel Saarinen. Saarinen wrote to Eames to congratulate him. He then offered Eames a special opportunity to study architecture at the Cranbrook Academy of Art.
The church was recognized for its importance in 2007. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings and places that are important to the history of the United States.
See also
