Lewiston church to be inaugurated as basilica

LEWISTON – One of Maine’s grandest churches, the nearly century-old Sts. Peter and Paul, will be inaugurated Sunday as the only basilica in northern New England.

Five days of special events, including concerts, a lecture and an open house, will culminate in a Sunday afternoon Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Richard Malone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

Its designation as a basilica puts Sts. Peter and Paul in a select group of churches that are chosen for architectural beauty, commitment of the parish population and tradition in the community.

In Catholic circles, each basilica is known casually as “the pope’s church.”

“There are only about 50 in the whole country,” said Monsignor Marc Caron, director of the diocesan office for worship. “It highlights our connection with the bishop of Rome.”

With the elevated status comes the responsibility of promoting the study of papal documents and celebrating certain liturgical days with added solemnity.

The granite church, which can seat nearly 1,500 worshippers, is recognizable by twin towers 163 feet high whose spires dominate the city’s skyline. Its jewel-toned stained-glass windows were inspired by those of the great cathedrals of France.

Construction began in 1904 and was completed 34 years later. Contributions from the many people who emigrated from Canada to work in the area’s mills helped pay for the church.

Decades ago, the church had as many as 16,000 parishioners and other parishes emerged from it. About 1,200 households now belong to the parish.

Masses on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will honor religious orders tied to Saints Peter and Paul.

At Sunday’s Mass of thanksgiving, the coat of arms designed for the basilica will be unveiled, along with the tintinnabulum and the ombrellino.

The tintinnabulum – a bell mounted on a pole – was used to announce the papal procession in Rome; the ombrellino – a special umbrella with panels in the red and gold of Vatican City – once was used to protect the pope from the elements.