St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church |
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| Location | 111 South E Street Virginia City, Nevada |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1868 |
| Architecture | |
| Groundbreaking | 1868 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Reno |
St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church is a special church in Virginia City, Nevada. It is part of the Roman Catholic Church. This historic building also has a museum where you can learn about its past. There's even a gift shop!
Contents
Church History
The very first Catholic church in Virginia City was built in 1860. A priest named Fr. Hugh Gallagher built it. Sadly, this first church was destroyed by strong winds within two years.
Building a New Church
Fr. Patrick Manogue took over after Fr. Gallagher. He built a new church soon after he arrived in the area. This area was known as the Comstock Lode, famous for its silver mines. The new church was officially named St. Mary in the Mountains Church. Bishop Eugene O'Connell dedicated it on July 17, 1864. Fr. Manogue later became the first Bishop of Sacramento.
Growth and Rebuilding
Many Irish immigrants came to this area to work in the mines. Because of this, the church needed to be much bigger. A larger brick church was built across the street. Bishop O'Connell dedicated this new, bigger church on November 20, 1870.
However, a huge fire swept through Virginia City in 1875. This fire destroyed the church. But the community worked quickly to rebuild it. The church was rebuilt the very next year, in 1876.
Church Music
In 1982, St. Mary's church got a special musical instrument. It was a pipe organ made by the William Schuelke company around 1898. A pipe organ is a large musical instrument that makes sound by sending air through pipes.
The Organ's Journey
This organ had been used before. It was first built for a church in Valders, Wisconsin. Later, it moved to a private home in Green Bay. Finally, it found its new home at St. Mary's. Local organ experts helped move and set up the organ. It was placed on the left side of the main church area. A matching cabinet was built on the right side for chimes. These chimes could be played from their own small keyboard.
