St. Teresa of Avila Cathedral (Amos) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Teresa of Avila Cathedral |
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| Cathédrale Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila | |
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| Location | Amos Quebec |
| Country |  Canada |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
The Cathedral of St. Teresa of Avila (which in French is Cathédrale Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila) is a very important church in Amos, Quebec, Canada. It is the main church for the Catholic community in western and northern Quebec. A cathedral is a special church that is the home base for a bishop, who is a leader in the Catholic Church.
This beautiful building stands tall in the center of Amos, on a hill overlooking the Harricana River. You can see it from far away! It's the only Catholic cathedral in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue area.
The cathedral was built between 1922 and 1923. It has a unique "Roman-Byzantine" style, which means it mixes ideas from ancient Roman and Byzantine architecture. Unlike many churches that are shaped like a cross, this one has a round design. It was also special because it was built using steel and reinforced concrete, which were new and unusual materials for churches back then.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
How the Church Started
The story of the church in Amos began on October 15, 1911. On that day, a priest named Fr. Joseph Dudemaine held the very first Mass (a Catholic church service) in what would become Amos. He held it in someone's home, and that day was the feast day of Saint Teresa of Ávila.
Amos became an official town in 1914. Soon after, people started working to build a proper church for the community.
Building the Cathedral
Construction of the church began in 1922. The plans were drawn by Aristide Beaugrand-Champagne, an architect from Montreal. He had also designed another church in a similar style. The building was finished quickly, in 1923.
In 1939, the area around Amos became its own Catholic region, called the Diocese of Amos. At that time, this church was chosen to be its main cathedral. Years later, in 2003, the cathedral was recognized as an important heritage site in Quebec.
Architecture and Design
Unique Building Style
St. Teresa's Cathedral is a special example of Byzantine Revival architecture. This style was not very common in North America when the church was built. It also has some Romanesque features.
The church has a circular shape with a huge dome made of reinforced concrete. This dome rises about 10 stories high! Using concrete was a smart choice because the area often had forest fires, and concrete is very strong and fire-resistant.
Inside the Cathedral
Over the years, the people of the church have added many beautiful decorations inside. There are stunning stained glass windows from France on three sides of the building. Behind the main altar, there is a large mosaic of St. Teresa. This mosaic is made from Italian ceramic tiles and even has gold powder!
You can also see other mosaics on the side walls. These show important moments like the baptism of Jesus and the Annunciation. There are also mosaics depicting the Stations of the Cross, which tell the story of Jesus's journey. In 1953, a large organ made by Casavant Frères was installed, adding to the beauty and sound of the cathedral.
Burials in the Crypt
Below the main church, in a special area called the crypt, two important people are buried. One is Joseph Louis Aldée Desmarais, who was the very first bishop of Amos. The other is M. Hector Authier, who used to be the mayor of Amos.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa Teresa de Ávila (Amos) para niños
