This one was worth the wait.
Although it took 40 years to garner approval for construction and another 55 years to complete the project, when the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart finally celebrated its dedication in 1954, visitors to the church quickly excused the lack of haste and immediately appreciated its monumental beauty.
More than six decades later, the cathedral still stands on 3.6 acres of land right in the heart of North Newark. Currently the fifth-largest cathedral in North America, it’s a sight to be seen. The building spans almost an entire city block, measuring 365 feet in length and soaring to a whopping 260 feet in height at its tallest point.
Architect Jeremiah O’Rourke first broke ground on an English/Irish gothic design on June 11, 1899, starting with the walls and towers. He chose a solid Vermont Rockport granite for the exterior, which gives the building its slate gray color.
Several years later, in 1910, O’Rourke was removed from the project and was replaced by Mr. Waldron of E.M. Waldron and Company, who shifted the design toward a more French gothic style. His changes to the design included reducing the height of the front towers; eliminating the original pointed spires; eliminating the exterior nave buttresses and pinnacles; substituting a set of circular windows with rose-shaped ones; and increasing the use of sculptures at the entrances.
Today, the large rose window at the front of the building remains one of the cathedral’s most iconic features. While the window appears colorless from the outside, once you step inside the double wooden front doors, that same window glows in shades of blue and pink stained glass.
Also inside, the Indiana limestone walls are carved with scriptural scenes and bishops’ portraits, and a massive Italian Botticino-marble altar commands attention at the front of the room. Look up, and the Guastavino vaulted ceilings and ornate hanging light fixtures are likely to take your breath away.
The highlight of the cathedral’s history came in 1995 when Pope John Paul II visited along with Hillary and President Bill Clinton. Cuban-born Bishop Manuel Cruz is the rector of the cathedral today, the first Hispanic to hold this position, and a fitting one since the parish attached to the cathedral is now primarily Latino. For me, the Cathedral Basilica holds a special place in my heart. My parents, Patti & Randy, were married in this church on May 7, 1966 by Bishop John Smith. My parents remain happily married 50 years later and are fantastic role models for their children and grandchildren.
This was my mother’s parish and she attended the Sacred Heart Grammar School. When I asked her about her daily time within the cathedral she immediately told me about the chapels that grace the nooks and crannies of the structure and said that the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel holds a special place in her heart. As an elementary school student, she and her classmates would sit alongside the alter behind the grand organ and sing the mass in Latin. During my parent’s childhood, North Newark was an Italian neighborhood driven society that was steeped in tradition, respect and religion. We can learn a lot from this post-World War II culture if we just slowed down long enough to listen.
The beauty of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart cannot be understated. And luckily for us, the national historic landmark is open to public viewing every day of the week, with regular Roman Catholic mass times (offered in English & Spanish) and occasional concerts. Visit their website to learn more!
Best Wishes,
Karen
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