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	Roman Catholic Church
Website	www.basilica-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	Rev. Msgr. Timothy Swope

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

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]

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

Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown Bishops Eugene A. Garvey John Joseph McCort Richard Thomas Guilfoyle Howard Joseph Carroll Joseph Carroll McCormick James John Hogan Joseph Victor Adamec Mark Leonard Bartchak Churches Cathedrals Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona Cathedral of Saint John Gualbert, Johnstown Basilica Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto Education Higher education Mount Aloysius College, Cresson Saint Francis University, Loretto High schools Bishop Carroll High School, Ebensburg Bishop Guilfoyle High School, Altoona Bishop McCort High School, Johnstown Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy, Boalsburg Catholicism Portal

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))