St Joseph's Cathedral, Hyderabad
Encyclopedia
St Joseph's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral
in Hyderabad, India. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad and one of the most beautiful church of Hyderabad and Secunderabad
cities of Andhra Pradesh
, India.
, in what is presently called Gunfoundry (so named for the ammunition centre built there by the Nizam
of Hyderabad), to build a school, a church and a convent. Msgr. Pietro Caprotti Pime, laid its foundation on 18 March 1870, the eve of the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Fr. Luigi Malberti Pime took charge in 1872 and completed the main building, which was consecrated and opened for divine worship on Christmas Eve
of 1875. Hyderabad was made a separate diocese in 1886 AD, and in a consistory
held in 1887, Pope Leo XIII
declared St. Joseph's as the Cathedral of the diocese
, now an archdiocese.
and the bell tower
s were completed in 1891. The huge bells, imported from Italy, were installed in 1892 AD. The bells are tuned in such a fashion that many hymn
s can be played on different thems. These bells are considered as a very important part of this cathedral. They are not only holy but they were also used to indicate about lighting and thunderstorm. These bells ring dynamically during a strong storm to warn people. During the Nizam
s time when there were no much watches to indicate the time, bells were rung to indicate the time. The centre hall is very big and hence it can accommodate about 500 people at a time for prayers. In the main alcove inside the church, there is an imitation of the famous painting, the Pietà
by Michelangelo
.
Extensive renovation work was performed on the roof and interior of the structure between 2004 and 2008, making it necessary at one point for Mass to be held in the newly constructed multipurpose hall on the cathedral grounds. A beautiful 6 feet (1.8 m) granite wainscot has been added to the cathedral sanctuary walls and column bases, and new granite flooring has been added throughout, as well as a new roof, new lighting and electrical fixtures. Much of the artwork, including the beautifully carved imported antique marble side altars and marble statues of Mary and St Francis, an antique European oil painting of the Blessed Mother and Christ Child which was gifted to the cathedral by one of the Nizams, an antique set of the Stations of the Cross in high bas-relief made by European craftsmen, and various other statues of local craftsmanship, were cleaned and restored at this time. In December 2007, the cathedral was re-opened for the celebration of Holy Mass during the Christmas celebrations. Extensive construction on the grounds, including the grand entrance stairway from the street to the cathedral, and a large terrace with a multipurpose hall below, was begun in 2001 under the administration of then Parish Priest, Reverend Father Lourdu. Renovation to the exterior of the structure is currently underway.
and King Kothi, in Hyderabad, India.
Google map: St Joseph's Cathedral, Hyderabad, India
Sundays:
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
in Hyderabad, India. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad and one of the most beautiful church of Hyderabad and Secunderabad
Secunderabad
Secunderabad popularly known as the twin city of Hyderabad is located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh north of Hyderabad. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad was founded in 1806 AD as a British cantonment...
cities of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India.
History
Established in 1820 AD, the construction of the present structure began in 1869 when Fr. Antonio Tagliabue, bought an extensive plot of land near ChaderghatChaderghat
Chaderghat is a suburb located on the banks of Musi river in Hyderabad. Chaderghat bridge was built during the time of the Nizams and connects major suburbs to the main city.-History:Chaderghat was first declared a Municipality in 1886...
, in what is presently called Gunfoundry (so named for the ammunition centre built there by the Nizam
Nizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
of Hyderabad), to build a school, a church and a convent. Msgr. Pietro Caprotti Pime, laid its foundation on 18 March 1870, the eve of the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Fr. Luigi Malberti Pime took charge in 1872 and completed the main building, which was consecrated and opened for divine worship on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
of 1875. Hyderabad was made a separate diocese in 1886 AD, and in a consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
held in 1887, Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
declared St. Joseph's as the Cathedral of the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
, now an archdiocese.
Architecture
The façadeFacade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
and the bell tower
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
s were completed in 1891. The huge bells, imported from Italy, were installed in 1892 AD. The bells are tuned in such a fashion that many hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s can be played on different thems. These bells are considered as a very important part of this cathedral. They are not only holy but they were also used to indicate about lighting and thunderstorm. These bells ring dynamically during a strong storm to warn people. During the Nizam
Nizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
s time when there were no much watches to indicate the time, bells were rung to indicate the time. The centre hall is very big and hence it can accommodate about 500 people at a time for prayers. In the main alcove inside the church, there is an imitation of the famous painting, the Pietà
Pietà (Michelangelo)
The Pietà is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French cardinal Jean de Billheres, who was a representative in...
by Michelangelo
Michelangelo
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni , commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art...
.
Extensive renovation work was performed on the roof and interior of the structure between 2004 and 2008, making it necessary at one point for Mass to be held in the newly constructed multipurpose hall on the cathedral grounds. A beautiful 6 feet (1.8 m) granite wainscot has been added to the cathedral sanctuary walls and column bases, and new granite flooring has been added throughout, as well as a new roof, new lighting and electrical fixtures. Much of the artwork, including the beautifully carved imported antique marble side altars and marble statues of Mary and St Francis, an antique European oil painting of the Blessed Mother and Christ Child which was gifted to the cathedral by one of the Nizams, an antique set of the Stations of the Cross in high bas-relief made by European craftsmen, and various other statues of local craftsmanship, were cleaned and restored at this time. In December 2007, the cathedral was re-opened for the celebration of Holy Mass during the Christmas celebrations. Extensive construction on the grounds, including the grand entrance stairway from the street to the cathedral, and a large terrace with a multipurpose hall below, was begun in 2001 under the administration of then Parish Priest, Reverend Father Lourdu. Renovation to the exterior of the structure is currently underway.
Location
The church is located at Gunfoundry, north of AbidsAbids
Abids or Abid Shop is a major commercial center in Hyderabad, India. Abids is well known as the oldest and famous business area of Hyderabad. The state government building APSFC, and the President plaza are located here. A wide variety of businesses are located here...
and King Kothi, in Hyderabad, India.
Google map: St Joseph's Cathedral, Hyderabad, India
Masses offered
Daily- 6:00 am (English)
- 6:00 pm (English)
Sundays:
- 6:30 am (English)
- 8:00 am (English)
- 9:15 am (TeluguTelugu languageTelugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
) - 6:00 pm (English).
See also
- List of churches in Secunderabad and Hyderabad
- St. George's Church, HyderabadSt. George's Church, HyderabadSt. George's Church is the oldest church in the city of Hyderabad, India. It was built in the year 1844 AD. The church was originally an Anglican church but is now under the auspices of the Church of South India.-History:...
- Most Reverend M. JojiM. JojiMarampudi Joji was the third Archbishop of Hyderabad. He was born in Bhimavaram and died at the Bishop's House, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh...
, Archbishop of Hyderabad - Rosary Convent High SchoolRosary Convent High SchoolRosary Convent High School is a Roman Catholic missionary private-run girls' school in Hyderabad, India. Established in 1904 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, it continues to be run by these Missionary Sisters who reside in their convent at the school's grounds. The school was established in...
- All Saints High SchoolAll Saints High School, HyderabadAll Saints High School is a Catholic school in Hyderabad, India, offering an education for children from pre-Kindergarten to Tenth Standard . It was founded in 1855 and is run by the...
External links
- St Joseph's Cathedral website
- Article about St Joseph's from The HinduThe HinduThe Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
- Diocese of Hyderabad from The Catholic Encyclopedia
- PIME Missionary Fathers celebrate 150 years in India
- Interior photographs of St Joseph's Cathedral