The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul stands at 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The Diocese of Philadelphia, under Bishop Francis Kenrick, announced the project in 1846. Napoleon LeBrun was the original designer and left in 1851 after a dispute. John Notman designed the dome and Palladian facade, and John Mahoney replaced him in 1857. The style is Italian Renaissance, modeled on San Carlo al Corso in Rome.
The cornerstone was laid in December 1846, and the cathedral was dedicated in 1864 and consecrated in 1890. It is built of brownstone with an aqua oxidized-copper dome. It seats about 2,000 and is the largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania.
Constantino Brumidi painted the interior murals. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass here in 1979 and Pope Francis in 2015.
Comments