The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, commonly known as Saint Francis Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
The cathedral was built by Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy between 1869 and 1886 on the site of an older adobe church, La Parroquia (built in 1714-1717). An even earlier church on the same site, built in 1626, had been destroyed in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The new cathedral was built around La Parroquia, which was dismantled once construction was complete. A small chapel on the north side of the cathedral is all that remains of the old church.
Influenced by the French-born Archbishop Lamy and in dramatic contrast to the surrounding adobe structures, Saint Francis Cathedral was designed in the Romanesque Revival style. As such, the cathedral features characteristic round arches separated by Corinthian columns and truncated square towers. The large rose window in front and those of the Twelve Apostles in the lateral nave windows were imported from Clermont-Ferrand in France. The towers were originally planned to be topped with dramatic 160-foot (49 m) steeples, but due to lack of funds these were never built. The left tower is in fact a single row of bricks taller than the right tower. The cathedral was built from yellow limestone blocks quarried near the present site of Lamy. A 2005 addition to the upper facade of the cathedral is a small, round window featuring the dove of the Holy Spirit. It is a stained glass replica of the translucent alabaster window designed in the 17th Century by Italian Baroque artist Bernini that can be seen in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
The Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi was officially elevated to a basilica by Pope Benedict XVI on October 4, 2005, becoming the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.
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The patron saint of the diocese, this statue of St. Francis was brought to the Cathedral during the 1967 renovations.
Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680) is the first North American Indian to be beatified. She was a Mohawk-Algonquian woman of New York State. At an early age, she converted to Christianity.[1]
A statue of Father Lamy honors Father Lamy's(1814–1888) installation as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Fe in 1850. Under his direction, the cornerstone of the current cathedral was laid in 1869. He became Archbishop in 1875, when the Diocese was raised to an Archdiocese.[2] He retired in July 1885 to his residence north of town, known as Bishop's Lodge. He is buried in the crypt beneath the Cathedral floor.[2]
During the restoration of 1986, new doors were created of twenty bronze panels. Each panel depicts scenes and events in the history of the church in Santa Fe. The work was commissioned to Donna Quastoff[2]
Located in the center of the Nave is the baptismal font. Dedicated on June 3, 2001 by Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan, it is made of Brazilian granite. The eight-sided form represents the 8th day or Easter, marking the new creation of God's through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.[2] The basin is a cruciform, with three steps representative of the 3-days between Jesus' Crucifixion and his resurrection. The rill symbolizes the four Evangelists who cast their nets to catch men. Its location directly between the doors and the altar is representative of our faith journey.[2] To the south is the Ambry Cabinet containing the oils used in the sacraments. To the north is the Easter Candle Stand.[2]
Surrounding the nave along the walls are the Stations of the Cross. The original artwork of the nave was done in New Mexico Mission Style. The progression of French Archbishops had the artwork removed and the walls painted white. In 1997, the current Archbishop began the restoration of the interior in the historic style. The Stations are done in Santero style by Marie Romero Cash. Penitent Roberto Montoya carved the Spanish-style frames.[2]
In 1626, Fray Alonso Benavides brought Our Lady of the Rosary to Santa Fe. The chapel was built at that time for the statue. During the Pueblo Revolt, the statue was removed, but returned in 1693 during the peaceful return of the Spanish settlers. She was renamed La Conquistadora in honor of the peaceful manner in which it was believed she entered the hearts of the natives.[2] Behind the statue is a reredos, a mural style from Spain, depicting various saints. During a recent (2000–2009) restoration, an older painting was found.[2] On the left are the coffins of two early Franciscan Priests. The chapel is a 'contributing property' in the Santa Fe Historic District[3]
The chapel is reserved for prayer. The window wall along the south transept was added during the 1986 renovations. Etched into the glass are depictions of the Apostles and the Holy Family. The stained glass in the chapel are from France and represent the Eucharist.[2]
Located in the east end of the nave is the sanctuary. Above the altar is the San Damiano Crucifix. It is an exact replica of the crucifix in Assisi, Italy. It is told that the Lord leaned down from the crucifix and said; "Francis, go and repair my house."[2]
The altar screen was created for the 100th anniversary of the Cathedral in 1986. It is a reredos. In the center is a statue of St. Francis dating from the 18th century.[2] He is surrounded by images of saints of the new world.[2]
The entrance to the crypt is directly behind the sanctuary. The sanctuary was redesigned in 1986 in accordance with changes in the liturgical worship. The Archbishop's chair is located to the north, next to a pillar.[2]
A fictionalized account of the cathedral's origins may be found in Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop.