Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine

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Co-Cathedral of
St. Robert Bellarmine
Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine is located in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine
40°12′54.5″N 74°17′34.2″W / 40.215139°N 74.292833°W / 40.215139; -74.292833
Location61 Georgia Rd.
Freehold, New Jersey
CountryUnited States
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
Websitewww.strobert.cc
History
StatusCo-Cathedral/Parish church
Founded1971
DedicationRobert Bellarmine
DedicatedDecember 7, 2002
Architecture
Completed2002
Specifications
Capacity1,100
MaterialsBrick
Administration
DioceseTrenton
Clergy
Bishop(s)Most Rev. David M. O'Connell
RectorRev. Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni

The Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine is a Catholic co-cathedral and parish church located in Freehold, New Jersey, United States. Along with the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton it is the seat of the Diocese of Trenton.[1] The parish was founded in 1971, the church building was dedicated in 2002, and it became a co-cathedral in 2017.

History[edit]

St. Robert's parish was founded in 1971 as the number of professionals from New York City and North Jersey started to relocate to this section of Monmouth County.[2] A multi-purpose building was constructed to serve the parish's needs. As the parish grew in numbers and financial stability plans were drawn up for a new church, which was completed in 2002.

Because of its central location in the diocese, the parish facilities were used for a variety of diocesan functions. After consulting with the parish and priests of the diocese, Bishop David M. O'Connell petitioned the Congregation for Bishops at the Holy See on April 11, 2016, to have the Church of St. Robert Bellarmine elevated to a co-cathedral. It was approved on December 3 of the same year, and the parish was informed on Christmas Eve. The church was officially dedicated as a cathedral on February 19, 2017.[3]

Architecture[edit]

The large brick modern church building has elements from the Romanesque style. It features a gathering space, large rose window and clerestory. The stained glass windows depict the Mysteries of the Rosary, American saints, and St. Robert Bellarmine, the parish patron. The interior is an open space without columns, and a seating capacity of 1,100.[2][4] The altar platform is composed of white marble, and the altar, tabernacle pedestal and ambo are green Carrara marble.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine". GCatholic. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  2. ^ a b "A message from Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., on the elevation of St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Freehold, to the status of Co-Cathedral for the Diocese of Trenton". Diocese of Trenton. Archived from the original on 2017-02-20. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  3. ^ Jennifer Mauro (January 2, 2017). "St. Robert Bellarmine Parish welcomes news of becoming Co-Cathedral for Diocese". Trenton: The Monitor. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  4. ^ "St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Freehold to be given 'co-cathedral' status". Trenton: News 12 New Jersey. January 4, 2017. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-19.

External links[edit]