Famous Churches.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 14, 3 April 1902, Page 6

Famous Churches.

The six largest churches in the world are reputed to be St. Peter's, at Rome ; St. Paul's, London ; the Cathedral, Antwerp ; Santa Sofia, Constantinople ; Notre Dame, Paris ; Cathedral, Buenos Ayres. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, in the Holy Land, is the citadel of the Catholic faith in those parts. It contains many precious relics, and is built upon the spot where our Lord was buried. The Cathedral of Buenos Ayres, Argentina, was founded in 1580 and rebuilt in 1852. Dimensions 370 x 250 feet, area 4500 square yards, seating capacity 18,000 persons. It is one of the six largest churches in the world. The Cathedral of Chihauhau, Mexico, an edifice of great architectural beauty, is reputed to have cost £200 000, which was raised by a special tax levied upon the product of the famous Santa Eulalia silver mines located 15 miles south of the city. St. Yibiana's Cathedral at Los Angeles is probably the only church in the United States to have enshrined above its sanctuary the remains of its patroo, St. Vibiana, which were brought from Europe many years ago and encased above the high altar. The Cathedral in the City of Mexico is 426 feet long and 203 feet wide ; has two naves, three aisles, 20 side chapels, and a huge marble altar. The bare walls alone cost £400,000, and when we consider the value of the interior adornments, the statues, and paintings, the total cost becomes almost fabulous.