Glancing up at those twin octagonal towers, do you see how they rise 137 feet above the street? Welcome to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This Roman Catholic church stands proudly in downtown Atlanta. It is a testament to faith and architectural beauty.
Let’s step back in time. In the late 1800s, Atlanta was growing. The Catholic population in the northern part of the city increased. A new parish was needed. Bishop William Hickley Gross established Saints Peter and Paul Parish in 1880. A small wooden church was built on Marietta Street.
But the congregation dreamt bigger. By 1897, the Marist Fathers took over. They envisioned a grander church. They purchased land at Peachtree Street and Ivy Street. Walter T Downing, an Atlanta architect, was commissioned. He designed a French Romanesque and Romanesque Revival masterpiece.
Construction began in September 1897. Mass was still held in the wooden church. Finally, on May 1, 1898, the new church was dedicated. It was named the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The parish was renamed accordingly. The old wooden church was abandoned.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus quickly grew. By 1910, it had 1250 members. The church catered to a primarily Irish Catholic population. In 1905, a Sunday school was established. In 1909, the Sisters of St Joseph opened a parochial school.
Many improvements were made over the years. Stained glass windows were installed in 1902. The interior was decorated in 1907. In 1913, a new rectory was built. By 1917, Sacred Heart was one of the largest churches operated by the Marists.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus even has a close connection to education. In 1901, Marist College, a boys military academy, was established next to the church. It offered high school and college courses. The college courses were later discontinued. The school moved to a new location in 1962 and became Marist School.
In 1965, the Marist Fathers refocused their efforts. They returned the church’s administration to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. In 1976, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Despite challenges in the surrounding area, the church persevered. In 1995, Mother Teresa attended Mass here. The church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1998. In 2010, the church was designated a minor basilica. This honor recognizes its historical and spiritual significance.
Look at the architecture. It blends French Romanesque and Romanesque Revival styles. The exterior features brick and terracotta. Marble ornamentation adds elegance. The front has an arcade with three doorways. Above is a rose window with a Sacred Heart design.
Inside, high arches lead to the sanctuary. A baldachin displays a life-size crucifix. Above the tabernacle is a depiction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Stained glass windows line the nave.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands as a beacon of faith. It represents resilience and beauty. It is one of the few early 20th-century buildings still standing in Atlanta. Its history and architecture offer a glimpse into Atlanta’s past and the enduring power of faith.