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 (French: Cathédrale Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila) is a very important church for Catholic people in western and northern Quebec, Canada. It is the main church for the Diocese of Amos.
You can find it in the middle of Amos. It sits on a high hill next to the Harricana River. This makes it easy to see from far away. It is the only Catholic cathedral in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue area.
This cathedral was built between 1922 and 1923. It has a special "Roman-Byzantine" style. This means it has a round shape inside, which is different from many churches that are shaped like a cross. It was also built using steel and strong concrete. These were unusual materials for churches back then.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Early Days in Amos
The first Catholic Mass in what is now Amos happened on October 15, 1911. Father Joseph Dudemaine led this service. It took place in someone's home. This date is also the feast day of Saint Teresa of Ávila.
Building the Church
The town of Amos was officially formed in 1914. Soon after, people started planning to build a proper church. Construction began in 1922. The church was designed by Aristide Beaugrand-Champagne from Montreal. He had also designed another church with a similar style. The building was finished the next year, in 1923.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 1939, the Diocese of Amos was created. This meant the church became a "cathedral." A cathedral is the main church for a bishop. In 2003, the cathedral was named a special heritage site for the province of Quebec. This helps protect its history and unique design.
Cathedral's Architecture
Unique Design
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 round design. It features a very large dome made of reinforced concrete. This dome rises as high as a 10-story building. Using concrete was a new idea then. It was a smart choice because of the many forest fires in the area.
Inside the Cathedral
Over time, people in the church added many beautiful decorations inside. There are colorful stained glass windows from France on three sides. Behind the main altar, there is a large mosaic of St. Teresa. This mosaic is made from Italian ceramic tiles with gold powder.
Other mosaics on the side walls show important Bible stories. These include the baptism of Jesus and the Annunciation. You can also see the Stations of the Cross depicted in mosaics. A large Casavant organ was put in the church in 1953.
Burial Place
Important people are buried in a special room called a crypt below the church. These include Joseph Louis Aldée Desmarais, who was the first bishop of Amos. Also buried there is M. Hector Authier, a former mayor of the town.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa Teresa de Ávila (Amos) para niños
