Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel (Loretto, Pennsylvania)

Basilica of St. Michael
the Archangel
40°30′9.12″N 78°37′49.08″W / 40.5025333°N 78.6303000°W / 40.5025333; -78.6303000
Location 321 St. Mary St.
Loretto, Pennsylvania
Country United States
Denomination Catholic Church
Website www.basilicasm-loretto.org
History
Founded 1799
Founder(s) Rev. Demetrius Gallitzin
Consecrated October 2, 1901
Architecture
Style Romanesque Revival
Groundbreaking January 10, 1900
Completed 1901
Construction cost $150,000
Specifications
Number of spires One
Materials Sandstone
Bells Three
Administration
Diocese Altoona-Johnstown
Clergy
Bishop(s) Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak
Rector

Very Rev. John D. Byrnes, JCL, JV, Rector

Rev. Matthew A. Reese, In Residence

The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel is a Minor Basilica of the Catholic Church located in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is also a parish church of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

History

Demetrius Gallitzin grave

St. Michael's parish was founded by the Rev. Demetrius Gallitzin and it was named for the patron saint of Michael McGuire, who was the first settler in the area in 1788.[1] The parish has had four different church buildings in its history. The first church was built of white pine logs in 1799. The second church was a frame structure built in 1817. The first and second church buildings were located in the same location on the western edge of the cemetery. The outline of the stone foundation of the second church can still be seen there. The third church was built of brick in 1854 where the present church is located.

Construction for the present church was begun on January 10, 1900. The stone for the foundation was quarried locally. The church was consecrated on October 2, 1901. The Romanesque Revival church was built at a cost of $150,000.[1] It was paid for by Charles M. Schwab, the president of United States Steel, who had spent his youth in Loretto. The three bells in the tower were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schwab, Mr. and Mrs. John Schwab and the Rev. Ferdinand Kittell, who was the pastor when the church was built. Andrew Carnegie donated the pipe organ for $8,000.[1] Pope John Paul II decreed on September 9, 1996 that St. Michael's Church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica.[2]

Basilica's interior

Architecture

While the church was substantially designed in the Romanesque Revival style, there are some decorative elements in the Gothic Revival style.[1] These include the altars, that were carved of Carrara marble and imported from Italy, and the altar rail that is composed of Mexican onyx and supported by brass pilasters, capitals and panels. The Stations of the Cross were also imported from Italy. The interior features three paintings over the Main Altar area. They were created by an artist from Chicago and depict the Ascension of Jesus, the Flight into Egypt, and the Nativity of Jesus. The wainscoting and the pews are both composed of red oak.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Seymour, Frank. "History". Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
  2. ↑ "Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel". GCatholic. Retrieved 2014-06-17.

External links

Media related to Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel (Loretto, Pennsylvania) at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 40°30′09″N 78°37′49″W / 40.502533°N 78.630301°W / 40.502533; -78.630301 (Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel (Loretto, Pennsylvania))

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 6/27/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.