The main entrance of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis is a colonnaded portico with two 116-foot spires on each side. The exterior of the building was constructed between 1907-1915. The Basilica of Saint Mary was the first basilica in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Basilica of Saint Mary Entrance
The interior of the Cathedral of Saint Paul contains chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart, to Mary, to Saint Peter, and also to St. Joseph. The First World War interrupted construction of The Chapel of Saint Joseph, but it was completed in 1918.
The Chapel of Saint Joseph
The main sanctuary of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis is surrounded by statues of the Twelve Apostles and a marble baldachino stands over the altar. On top of the stone canopy is a 9 foot statue of Mary which is under the 140 foot high interior ceiling dome. It is first church in the U.S. to be elevated by papal decree to the honor and dignity of a minor basilica.
Sanctuary of the Basilica of Saint Mary
Set on Summit Hill overlooking the city of Saint Paul, the Cathedral of Saint Paul (the fourth building to bear that name) stands 306.5 feet tall and is 307 feet long and 216 feet wide. The body of the church is made from granite stone from the state and the cornerstone was laid in 1907. The exterior was completed in 1914 but the main interior work was not completed until 1941.
Cathedral of Saint Paul
The summer may bring some hot days, but at least it allows some exploration without worrying about snow storms and below zero temperatures. And on those summer back country roads trips, you might catch a glimpse of a church steeple across the fields which require a slight detour to check the church out. And if you are lucky to be there when the church is open, you might find some older style and pretty altars inside, like from this Holy Rosary Catholic church built in 1901.
Altar in Holy Rosary
Those heading out to church this morning had another sub-zero chilly start to the day, but at least the sun was shining making the snow seem even whiter.
Chilly Sunday Morning
Sunday morning arrived with another snow dusting and sounds like more snow tomorrow morning too. So far it has just been the nuisance kind and not a lot at one time so no deep snow drifts yet to wade through to church.
Church in Winter Snow
The inside of area churches seemed to have lower attendance this morning due to all the hunters out trying to get a deer. The outside of the churches would have a different look compared to summer too. The low sun angle doesn’t provide as much light, the ground was very firm with temperatures into the teens, and the leaves are missing from the trees.
A Warmer Sunday
This country church in Eau Galle, Wisconsin, is celebrating its centennial this year as the brick church was built in 1917.
Saint Henry Church
The record breaking temperatures this weekend had more people outside enjoying the weather. And since the path would be free of snow, some may have hiked the hill to get to the church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Church Uphill at the Shrine
