St. Peter's Cathedral (Scranton, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Peter's Cathedral Complex
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St. Peter's Cathedral in September 2009
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | 1867 |
| Architect | Amsden, Joel; Hancock, Lewis |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001645 |
| Added to NRHP | July 19, 1976 |
St. Peter's Cathedral is a beautiful and important Roman Catholic church located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It's often called the "mother church" for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, which means it's the main church for that area. The entire group of buildings, known as the St. Peter's Cathedral Complex, is a special historical site listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
The Story of St. Peter's Cathedral
The church building was first constructed in 1867. At that time, it was known as the parish church of St. Vincent de Paul.
In 1883 and 1884, the church was updated and made even more beautiful. By then, it had become the main church for the diocese. On September 28, 1884, the newly improved church was officially dedicated. Its name was changed to the Cathedral of St. Peter, showing its new important role. The cathedral complex also includes the nearby rectory (built in 1908) and a convent.
Amazing Stained Glass Windows
The church's first windows were simple, with red and white diamond shapes. The stunning stained glass windows you see today were added during the changes that began in 1883. Much of this beautiful artwork was designed by architect Edwin Forrest Durang and later by German artist Frank Mayer.
Besides the stained glass in the upper parts of the church and above the entrances, there are 15 large windows. These windows tell stories from the life of Christ and also show the Virgin Mary and other saints. Some of the most notable windows show the Annunciation (when an angel told Mary she would have a baby), the Visitation (when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth), the Nativity (the birth of Jesus), and the Last Supper.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its historical importance and beautiful architecture, the St. Peter's Cathedral Complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means it's recognized as a special place worth preserving.
The Cathedral Organ
The large organ inside the cathedral was built in 1979. It was created by a company called Casavant Frères from Quebec, Canada. This organ is known as their Opus 3414.
In February 2008, the cathedral was chosen for a special event. It hosted a Mass that was shown all over the world on EWTN's Cathedrals Across America series. This Mass celebrated the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Pedro (Scranton) para niños
