Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky
, is a minor basilica
in the United States
. The cathedral was started by the Diocese of Covington
's third bishop
, Camillus Paul Maes
, in 1894. The cathedral project was terminated in 1915, though it is incomplete, even to this day. The exterior is inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral
in Paris
.
The interior was modeled after St. Denis in France. The recent restoration of the Cathedral earned a 2002 Preservation Award from the Cincinnati Preservation Association. For the interior restoration, Conrad Schmitt Studios
conducted cleaning of the stone ribs, tracery and walls. Studio artists also provided plaster restoration and select faux stone painting. The cathedral was elevated to the rank of minor basilica
by Pope Pius XII
on December 8, 1953.
The interior of the cathedral contains mural
s by Covington native Frank Duveneck
. According to the St. Mary Cathedral's website: "The Cathedral's North transept window is the world's largest church stained glass window, measuring 67 ft (20.4 m) high by 24 ft (7.3 m) wide. It presents the early fifth century Ecumenical Council of Ephesus that proclaimed Mary as the Mother of God."
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky
Covington, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
, is a minor basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The cathedral was started by the Diocese of Covington
Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington is a Roman Catholic diocese in Northern Kentucky, covering that includes the city of Covington and the following Kentucky counties: Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Gallatin, Carroll, Grant, Owen, Pendleton, Harrison, Bracken, Robertson, Mason, Fleming, and Lewis. ...
's third bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, Camillus Paul Maes
Camillus Paul Maes
Camillus Paul Maes was the third bishop of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, United States. Bishop Maes was responsible for building the current cathedral.-Early Life and Priesthood:...
, in 1894. The cathedral project was terminated in 1915, though it is incomplete, even to this day. The exterior is inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris , also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, is a Gothic, Roman Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris: that is, it is the church that contains the cathedra of...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
The interior was modeled after St. Denis in France. The recent restoration of the Cathedral earned a 2002 Preservation Award from the Cincinnati Preservation Association. For the interior restoration, Conrad Schmitt Studios
Conrad Schmitt Studios
Conrad Schmitt Studios is an architectural arts studio located in New Berlin, Wisconsin. It provides ecclesiastical art, stained glass artistry, art glass, decorative painting, mosaics, murals and sculptural arts. The studio specializes in restoration services for buildings of architectural,...
conducted cleaning of the stone ribs, tracery and walls. Studio artists also provided plaster restoration and select faux stone painting. The cathedral was elevated to the rank of minor basilica
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
by Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
on December 8, 1953.
The interior of the cathedral contains mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
s by Covington native Frank Duveneck
Frank Duveneck
Frank Duveneck was an American figure and portrait painter.-Youth:Duveneck was born in Covington, Kentucky, the son of German immigrant Bernard Decker. Decker died when Frank was only a year old and his widow remarried Joseph Duveneck...
. According to the St. Mary Cathedral's website: "The Cathedral's North transept window is the world's largest church stained glass window, measuring 67 ft (20.4 m) high by 24 ft (7.3 m) wide. It presents the early fifth century Ecumenical Council of Ephesus that proclaimed Mary as the Mother of God."