After almost 160 years, Mobile’s Cathedral finally is the building it was meant to be.

By Kathie Farnell

Photos by Michael Mastro

From its site on historic South Claiborne Street, Mobile’s Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception has kept watch over the city since its consecration in 1850 fifteen hectic years after the fledgling Diocese of Mobile first laid its cornerstone. The church, named for the Virgin Mary under her title “Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception,” was designed to be an imposing structure. Bishop Michael Portier’s bold plans for the building—162-feet long, 90- feet wide—signaled a massive undertaking for a diocese less than 35 years old. At its consecration, Bishop John Spaulding of Louisville characterized it as “almost worthy of God.” After its recent restoration, the church might have finally met that highest of standards.

In 1865, a Union Army ammunition dump exploded nearby, blowing out windows on the church’s north side. In addition to repairing the damage, the church added its classic portico and cast-iron fence during the postwar period. Its towers and steeples weren’t completed until more than 20 years later. The most significant addition to the original building, however, came at the turn of the nineteenth century, when the magnificent stained-glass windows were installed. The studios of Franz Myer in Munich constructed the 12 massive windows, each approximately 30-feet tall and 12-feet wide. The glowing panels recreate events from the New Testament, especially scenes from the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Through the years, the building has been damaged by a variety of causes. A freak accident during World War II damaged both towers; hit by a low-flying plane, they had to be completely rebuilt. A more serious disaster occurred in March 1954, when fire raced through the nave. Fire damage, coupled with the destruction caused by smoke and water, ruined the interior. The stained-glass windows were carefully dismantled and sent back to Germany, where artists used the original design drawings to restore them.

Following the fire, the sanctuary was rebuilt in its present form, and air conditioning was added, along with a crypt for the burial of bishops. In 1962, Pope John XXIII elevated the cathedral to a minor basilica, a title bestowed only by the Pope on churches of historical and spiritual importance. Meanwhile, time and the elements continued to take a toll on the building, and eventually the parish decided that the structure should be completely renovated.

In the summer of 2001, work began on the Cathedral’s exterior. The roof and walls were repaired and the façade was cleaned and re-plastered. In an attempt to forestall damage from storms (such as Hurricane Frederick, which damaged the steeples in 1979), the parish added storm protection features including panels on the exterior of the stained glass windows.

The interior restoration, begun in 2003, included artistic enhancement of the massive columns. Craftsmen added gold leaf to the columns and repainted the Cathedral’s vaulted ceiling with emblems of the fleur de lis and the shamrock in recognition of the city’s French and Irish heritage. The restoration included installation of a new marble floor on the main aisle and two side aisles. On the floor of the main aisle, the coat of arms of the Bishops of Mobile was inlaid in brass. The interior restoration also included the installation of a new sound system and climate control system. The stained glass windows were carefully cleaned, and the window depicting the Nativity was completely restored. The Cathedral’s long-range plans include eventual restoration of the remaining eleven windows.

Mobile photographer Michael Mastro says that cleaning the windows has allowed visitors to see the stained glass as they were meant to be seen. “Originally, the plan was to take down all the windows, crate them, and ship them back to Munich for restoration, but that was prohibitively expensive, so they had someone clean them,” Mastro explains. “People who have been in the church for years have told me that cleaning the glass made all the difference.”

Finding Sanctuary

The Cathedral-Basilica is the official church of the Archdiocese of Mobile, which includes the southernmost 28 counties of Alabama.

The Archdiocese of Mobile

400 Government Street

Mobile, AL 36602

251.434.1565

Archbishop: Thomas J. Rodi

Cathedral of the

Immaculate Conception

2 South Claiborne Street

Mobile, AL 36602

Rector: Reverend Monsignor

Michael L. Farmer

Masses: Three on Sunday, a vigil on Saturday, weekdays, as well as special services for holy days.

Mobile’s Cathedral, a book designed and produced by Michael Mastro with text by Archbishop Emeritus Lipscomb, is available from locations around Mobile including the Cathedral Square Gallery, Oakleigh House Museum, and the Visitation Monastery. For more information on the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, visit www.mobilecathedral.org.