The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the oldest Catholic church in Dallas. In the US, it is also the most visited cathedral. The service is conducted in Spanish and English alternately. Despite the fact that the building is small compared to the neighboring skyscrapers, it definitely attracts attention due to its Gothic style. Read more about its founding and learn why its construction took more than 100 years on dallas-future.
History of construction
The first local Catholic parish was founded in 1869. The Bishop of Galveston led the Sacred Heart Church, which was located on the corner of Bryan and Ervay Streets. Later, its space was not enough, so a decision was made to build a new, larger church. The plot on Ross and Pearl Streets, where the cathedral is now located, was bought for $30,000. Construction began in 1898. The author of the project was the prominent architect of Texas, Nicholas J. Clayton. He was Catholic and devoted most of his career to the creation of cathedrals throughout Texas. However, the construction was delayed. Only on October 26, 1902, the cathedral began its activities and was consecrated by Bishop Edward Dunn.
With the development of the city, the number of dioceses increased. By the 1960s, the number of parishioners decreased. The reason for this was the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish on the neighboring Harwood Street. It held services for Mexican immigrants. In 1975, Bishop Thomas Tschoepe invited the parish to unite with Sacred Heart. It agreed and was closed. Two years later, the merger got the name the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is one of two churches in the US that honors Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Architectural features
This cathedral was built in the Victorian Gothic style. The majestic nave was created of red brick and sandstone. It is decorated with a hundred stained glass windows.
A characteristic feature is a large spire with a belfry, the construction of which was conceived back in the 19th century. It was completed only in 2005 after Clayton’s original drawings were discovered. At that time, there were not enough funds to complete the project. Its height reaches 224 feet and 49 bells are placed in the middle.
The cost of the tower was $20 million. The bells were purchased with a $500,000 donation from Dallas Morning News publisher James Moroney Jr. and his wife, Lynn. They were cast in the Dutch workshop Royal Eijsbouts. The corporation installed a carillon in 2005 and added keyboards for playing and practice. To mark their arrival, Bishop Charles Grahmann conducted a special blessing ceremony on March 1, 2005.
The heaviest bell, B-flat, weighs 6,908 pounds. The lightest bell weighs 22 pounds. Among the largest bells, only four are movable and the others are always standing. A characteristic feature of large bells is also the presence of inscriptions. At the top is written Eijsbouts Astensis me fecit ANNO MMIV, indicating the founder and the year 2004. In the center of the larger bells is the diocesan coat of arms with the inscription below: Most Reverend Charles W. Grahmann and Bishop of Dallas.
At the same time, the construction of a smaller tower began. To begin with, it required the strengthening of the frame. More steel was used to build the bell tower so that the bells could be placed on it. Finally, on September 11, 2005, the new bells were officially rung for the first time, marking the completion of the 107-year plan. Clayton’s grandson and great-grandson were present at the celebration.
