The history behind Saints Peter and Paul Basilica, Lewiston
T
he story of St Peter and Paul’s Basilica is one of faith and perseverance. From start to finish, construction took 38 years. Yet throughout this, the parishioners of St. Peter and Paul’s never lost faith with every generation building upon the work of previous generations. On the surface, the numbers are impressive. The basilica is 300 feet long, 100 feet wide, and its spires stretch over 165 in the air. It took roughly 30,000 cubic feet of granite, 1,700,000 bricks and 325 tons of steel to build. This elegant Gothic designed church, inspired by European Cathedrals, stands as a testament to the devotion and dedication of the parishioners.
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While construction of the church began in 1905, the roots of St. Peter and Paul’s can be traced back further. In the late 1860s and early 1870s, the textile industry in Lewiston and Auburn saw incredible growth. The growth was so massive that the local labor pool was exhausted and new workers were needed to feed the growing nation’s need for textile goods. Mill owners turned to Canada for workers. Many Canadians made the trek, leaving behind their farms in search of a better life. Many left family and friends behind, but the one thing they did not leave behind was their faith and their sense of community. Both of these would
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be instrumental in building the parish. A house on Lincoln Street in Lewiston was converted into a church for the Franco-Americans. As the Franco population grew, it became evident that a new church would need to be built. This church was replaced by a 1,500 seat church around 1873, but even that would prove to be too small to meet the influx of Canadian immigrants. To meet the needs of the Franco-American community, construction began on a new church. By 1905, the “Shed” as it was sometimes called, covered the foundation of what would become St. Peter and Paul’s. It would not be until 1938 before the church was completed. The style of St Peter and Paul’s is Gothic with inspiration being taken from the great European
cathedrals. While the church was designed in part to entice the Diocese of Portland to relocate to Lewiston, it was also a way in which Catholics could demonstrate the importance of religion in their daily lives. In fact, so strong was this devotion, most of the construction costs were paid by contributions of the parishioners. Many families donated what they could spare to contribute to the $465,000 cost. What made this even more remarkable was the fact that most of the money was raised during The Depression. The Diocese of Portland never did move to Lewiston, but St. Peter and Paul’s was turned over to the Diocese in 1986. From 1881 to 1986, the Dominican Order from Canada had ministered to the parish. By 1986, the Dominicans did not have
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the necessary numbers of priests to continue to operate the parish, so St Peter’s was turned over to Portland. By the late 1980s the ravages of nature had taken its toll on the church. An ambitious restoration project was started in 1991 to refurbish and renovate both the exterior and interior of the church. Recognizing the importance of St Peter and Paul’s, Pope John Paul II named St Peter and Paul’s a minor basilica. This designation sets it apart from other churches and elevates it to the highest place of worship for Catholics.
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Part of the requisites of a church being elevated to the status of a basilica is the architecture. It must be unique and more ornate than what is normally expected of a church. The exterior of the basilica is constructed of Maine granite and cast stone. It reminds the visitor of the great churches of Europe with its Gothic style. Walking into the basilica, the visitor is greeted by a serene beauty. The vaulted ceilings and ornate stained glass windows impart a sense of solemnity. One does not need to be Catholic to appreciate the beauty of the basilica; people of all faiths can explore the architecture to get a true appreciation of the basilica’s magnificence. For those wishing to visit the basilica, tours can be arranged via the parish office.
Source: Sun Journal archive Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, August 6, 2010