St. Michael's Basilica (Miramichi, New Brunswick) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St. Michael's Basilica, Miramichi
Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael's Basilica, Miramichi
St. Michael's Basilica, Miramichi Location in New Brunswick
47°01′34″N 65°27′56″W / 47.0261°N 65.4656°W / 47.0261; -65.4656
Location	10 Howard Street Miramichi, New Brunswick
Country	Canada
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	stmichaelsbasilica.com
History
Status	Cathedral
Dedicated	1921
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	P. Keely
Architectural type	neo-Gothic
Specifications
Capacity	1,200 people
Materials	sandstone and marble

The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel is a very large and important church in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada. It sits on a hill, offering a great view of the Miramichi River. This church is one of the biggest in Eastern Canada. It was built in the former town of Chatham, New Brunswick, which became part of the city of Miramichi in 1995.

What Makes St. Michael's Basilica Special?

St. Michael's Basilica is one of the largest churches in Canada, especially east of Quebec City. It was designed by a famous architect named Patrick Keely. He also designed other big churches like Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago and Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Providence, Rhode Island.

How Big Is It?

The basilica is built in a style called neo-Gothic, which means it looks like old European cathedrals. It is made from sandstone. The church is about 15 feet (4.6 meters) taller than Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. It is a bit narrower but about the same length. St. Michael's Basilica can hold up to 1,200 people.

Construction of this impressive building began in 1903 and was finished in 1921. Inside, the main part of the church, called the nave, and the room where priests prepare, called the sacristy, are decorated with beautiful Italian marble. The tall spire of the church can be seen from many miles away, especially when you are coming from the north across the Centennial Bridge.

A Look at the Church's History

St. Michael's Basilica has a strong connection to the Irish Catholic people who moved to New Brunswick a long time ago. Many of them arrived before the Great Famine in Ireland. For many years, especially in the 1980s, lots of people would attend daily services during Lent. The church helped these new Catholic immigrants keep their traditions and identity alive.

In the past, Irish Catholics in Canada faced challenges. They were not allowed to hold public jobs or work in certain professions. They also had to pay money to the Church of England. These rules changed over time, but Irish Catholics still stuck together to support each other. St. Michael's Basilica played a big role in bringing them all together.

The church also had a long history of training priests. Many priests from this area served locally, while others went to work in other countries or in Western Canada. However, by 1975, fewer people from Chatham were choosing to become priests.

Cool Features of the Basilica

This basilica was once the main church, or cathedral, for a large area called the Diocese of Chatham. In 1938, the main church moved to Bathurst, which is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north. The Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bathurst then became the new main church for the Diocese of Bathurst.

What You Can See There

Some special parts of St. Michael's Basilica include:

• A small chapel called the Lady chapel on the west side of the main church.
• A very tall single spire. This spire was once lit up by the Canadian Air Force because there was a fighter plane base nearby!
• A unique green copper roof.
• A matching building next to the church called the Bishop's Palace.

The church's bells have been an important part of life in the town for a long time. They ring for funerals, for a prayer called the Angelus, and for special holidays like Easter and Christmas. To the east of the basilica, in front of the palace, there is a beautiful group of linden trees. These trees were planted by a bishop named James Rogers.

Why Is It Called a Basilica?

The church was first a cathedral, but it lost that title when the main church moved in 1938. After that, it was called a proto-cathedral until 1989. Then, Pope John Paul II gave it a special honor by calling it a minor basilica. This means it's a very important church, even if it's not the main cathedral for the area anymore.

Past Leaders of St. Michael's Basilica

Here are some of the main priests, called parish priests, who have served at St. Michael's Basilica since it was built:

See also

In Spanish: Basílica de San Miguel Arcángel (Miramichi) para niños

• Saint Michael: Roman Catholic traditions and views