When a small vocal group I am part of sang at the Basilia of St. Mary in Minneapolis last week someone asked me why there was an umbrella next to the altar. As a lover of architecture, and especially church architecture and history, it's a question I have been asked several times before so thought it was worth an explanation.
In ancient Rome public buildings used for assemblies and the administration of justice were called basilicas... buildings built in the shape of a rectangle with a central aisle down the middle. So a basilica was originally an architectural form, with its name derived from the Greek basileus, meaning king.
When Rome was Christianized a lot of these public basilicas were converted into churches, and the raised platform formerly occupied by a judge became the place of the high altar.
Along with converting the building, the Roman Catholic Church also converted the term basilica... to designate a church with special distinction, which must be designated by the pope himself. Used in this liturgical sense, the term 'basilica' has nothing to do with architectural style, size or anitquity of the church... it designates high rank, and highest expectations regarding the celebration of the liturgy and liturgical education.
The conopaieum, or red and yellow silk 'umbrella', as well as a coat of arms and symbols on the doors are trappings indicating the church's ''Basilica-ness'. I would guess the water symbol on the bottom of St. Mary's coat of arms below is in reference to Minneapolis, 'City of Lakes'.
The Basilica of St. Mary holds the distinction of being the first church in the United States to be designated a Basilica... so named by Pope Pius XI in 1926. As of 2008 there were 68 Roman Catholic Basilicas in the United States.
It is easy to get so swept up in the grandeur of this stunning example of Beaux Arts architecture that you are surprised when you see a quirky red and yellow parasole next to the main altar and wonder what it is doing there... now you know.
Next time you see the magnificent dome and towers of the Basilica of St. Mary piercing the skyline at Hennepin Avenue between 16th & 17th Streets on the edge of downtown Minneapolis near Loring Park... take a walk inside and scope out the umbrella by the altar. Maybe you can help clear someone else's puzzled look.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - Minneapolis Realtor
