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{{Infobox religious building
|building_name=Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
|building_name=Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
|image=File:Nave of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury CT.jpg
|image=Nave of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury CT.jpg
|caption=
|caption=
|location=74 West Main Street
|location=74 West Main Street

Revision as of 04:19, 16 September 2012

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
ProvinceArchdiocese of Hartford
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusMinor Basilica
LeadershipThe Very Rev. John Bevins
Location
Location74 West Main Street Waterbury, Connecticut
United States
Architecture
Architect(s)Maginnis & Walsh
TypeRenaissance Revival
StyleItalian Renaissance
General contractorTracey Brothers Co.
Completed1928
Construction costUS $1.25 million
Specifications
Direction of façadeSouth
Capacity1500
Length170 ft (52 m)
Width (nave)80 ft (24 m)
Website
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic church located at 74 West Main Street in Waterbury, Connecticut.

The parish traces its roots to November 1, 1847 when a group of Catholics in the area, under the leadership of pastor Father Michael O’Neil, purchased a former Episcopal church and dedicated the parish to St. Peter. The group previously rented Washington Hall at West Main Street and Exchange Place.

On July 5, 1857, the parish laid the cornerstone for a new church to be dedicated to the newly promulgated dogma of the Immaculate Conception. After it opened, the old church became St. Mary’s school in 1863.[1]

Ground was broken for the current church in 1924 and it was dedicated May 20, 1928. [2] It was designed by the Boston firm of Maginnis & Walsh and cost US$1.25 million to construct. Its Italian Renaissance design is based on the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome[3]

On February 9, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI bestowed the title of Minor Basilica on the church.[4]

The parish is currently under the administration of the Missionaires of the Holy Apostles (MSA).

Organ

The pipe organ in the Basilica was built by the Austin Organ Company based in Hartford. The four divisions are located behind decorative wood panels flanking the gallery. The instrument was built in 1928 and has had few modifications over the years including a new console in 1970 and some restoration work by the Foley Baker Company in 1980. The organ is Austins opus 1522 and has 3 manuals and 27 ranks.

References

  1. ^ "Basilica of the Immaculate Conception". Archdiocese of Hardford. Retrieved November 22, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  2. ^ Sister Mary Kathleen Ronan, RSM (June 3, 2008). "First Roman Catholic Basilica in State is Announced". The Catholic Transcript. catholictranscript.org. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  3. ^ Jack Sheedy (August 15, 2008). "New Minor Basilica graces Waterbury". The Catholic Transcript. catholictranscript.org. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  4. ^ "Basilica of the Immaculate Conception". Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)