Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is the principal church, or see church, for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it stands as the largest Catholic church in the state and was officially designated a minor basilica by the Vatican in 1976. The basilica's construction began in 1846, with its completion and dedication occurring in 1864. It is recognized for its significant architectural grandeur and has been a site of important religious events, including papal masses.

History and Construction

The need for a larger cathedral arose as Philadelphia's Catholic population grew. After earlier churches served as the diocese's cathedral, Bishop Francis Kenrick announced plans in 1846 for a new, grander structure dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. Construction commenced on a site purchased the previous year, with the cornerstone laid in December 1846. Bishop Kenrick planned for an extended construction period to manage costs, selling burial lots to help fund the project. The cathedral's walls were completed and the dome topped with a cross in 1859, leading to its dedication in 1864 by Bishop James F. Wood. The church was later consecrated in 1890.

Over the years, the cathedral has undergone several renovations and additions. Archbishop Edmond F. Prendergast renovated the interior in 1915, repainting walls and installing bronze statues. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament was added in 1955, followed by another renovation and the construction of a new apse in 1956. The basilica was officially designated a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1976. It has since hosted papal masses by Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Francis in 2015. In 2017, the shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel was relocated to the basilica.

Architecture and Design

The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is a substantial brownstone structure noted for its architectural beauty. It was designed in a Roman-Corinthian style, with its dome and Palladian facade drawing inspiration from Italian Renaissance churches, specifically the Church of St. Charles in Rome. The exterior's facade and aqua oxidized-copper dome are characteristic of the Italian Renaissance manner. The interior features a striking apse with stained glass and red antique marble, reminiscent of ancient Roman churches. A baldachin of Italian marble crowns the main altar, and the side aisles contain three altars each, also in the Italian Renaissance style.

The project involved several architects and designers. Napoleon LeBrun was initially hired to lead the construction, drawing inspiration from the Basilica of Sant' Ambrogio et Carlo al Corso in Rome. LeBrun's plans were adapted due to concerns about security, leading to higher clerestory windows. After LeBrun's departure, John Notman added the dome and facade. Later, John Mahoney and LeBrun again took roles in completing the project. Constantino Brumidi was responsible for the ceiling mural in the dome, "The Assumption of the Virgin into Heaven," and portraits of the Evangelists on its pendentives. Henry D. Dagit renovated the interior in 1914, and D'Ascenzo Studios executed the apse's stained glass and mosaic murals.

Crypt of the Bishops

The Crypt of the Bishops is located beneath the main altar and was opened in 1869. It serves as the final resting place for numerous bishops and archbishops of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, including its first bishop, Michael Francis Egan, and archbishops such as James Frederick Wood and Patrick John Ryan. The crypt also contains the remains of several cardinals, auxiliary bishops, and priests associated with the archdiocese, as well as Saint Katharine Drexel, founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.