Description: You did not ask me about my weaknesses. And I have them, you know. One of them is weak resistance to temptations. So when I saw a nice little church, off the heritage trail, I did not resist the temptation to do a little detour.
Church with a long name, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church has also a long history. It is the oldest continuously used church in Minneapolis- for over 125 years. From outside you can clearly recognized two different types of architecture. Greek temple Lime stone style, used between 1854 and 1857 and the rest is work of Padua Parish Canadian community using the church 20 years later.
There are many treasures hidden in this church. The reliquary on the side of the main altar contain relics of St. Augustine, St. Agnes of Assisi, St, Bernadette, St. Pius X and others as St. Therese of the Infant Jesus. A copy of the infant Jesus is here as well, nearly as good as the original in Prague-just without tourists.
As you turn from the Alter and look up the other side of the nave you will be admiring 20- rank handcrafted organ.
Walk back and notice the kneeling angel baptismal font on your left. This is the only known copy of Thorwaldsen’s “ Kneeling Angel” done in Rome in 1827 and carved by T. Stein in Copenhagen in 1891.
The statue of St. Joan of Arc was originally carved by Capu in 1882 – 1885. He named it “Joan on Seeing Her Vision and Hearing Her Voices”. It is only a copy but it stays for its name. The fire in Joan`s heart is obvious even in stone.
This Church was designated United States Historic landmark in 1934 but seems forgotten by crowds of tourist visiting this city, which makes it a pleasant place to dwell for a while.
Close