City Center in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 16, 2021
1. Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Marker
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1890.
Location. 35° 2.811′ N, 85° 18.412′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in City Center. It is on East 8th Street east of Georgia Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 E 8th St, Chattanooga TN 37402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Library Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ochs/Times Building (within shouting distance of this marker); First Coca-Cola Bottling Company In The United States (within shouting distance of this marker); First Methodist Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abby Crawford Milton (about 400 feet away); Robert Schwartz and Company Building (about 500 feet away); Military History of Chattanooga (about 500 feet away); Martin Hotel (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.
Regarding Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
this page online
The first church building served the congregation until the late 1880s when the present structure was built. This was not the first effort to construct a new building. By 1860, a stone church was partially completed, but work was halted due to the commencement of the Civil War. Later, during the Federal occupation of Chattanooga, troops dismantled the new building for the stones and other materials it contained. Although the congregation applied for $27,783.96 in retribution in 1867, the money was not given to the church until 1888 when the Federal government paid the congregation $18,729.00. This money was one of the primary reasons a new building could then be constructed.
The current church building was designed by Detroit, Michigan Architect Peter Dedericks, Jr., and construction was begun in 1888 when the foundation was laid on the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul; the cornerstone was laid in 1889 (February 1, Feast of St. Brigid) and is so dated; but the building was not completed until 1890 when the church was dedicated on June 29th.
Also see . . . Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul History. Basilica website homepage:
Overview and pictures of the church's past, including links to videos of the sanctuary's interior and renovations. (Submitted on October 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 16, 2021
2. Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Marker
via NPS, unknown
3. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church & Buildings
National Register of Historic Places Digital Archive on NPGallery website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 16, 2021
4. Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Pope Benedict XVI elevated the church to a minor basilica in 2011, resulting in substantial interior renovations since then.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 717 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on December 22, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on October 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
