Great Church Stained Glass of Texas: The San Fernando Cathedral

san fernando cathedral san antonio

Great Church Stained Glass of Texas: The San Fernando Cathedral

You already know that some of the most famous stained glass windows are found in ancient cathedrals, temples, and churches. But did you also know that San Antonio has some of the most beautiful religious stained glass in all of Texas? That’s why we’ve decided to write a series of articles dedicated to the Great Church Stained Glass of Texas. This is the first article of the series, which will be featuring the stained glass windows in San Antonio’s oldest church, The San Fernando Cathedral.

The San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonoio

The San Fernando Cathedral is the oldest continuously used cathedral in the United States. Construction for the Cathedral was completed back in 1749. Thereafter, the city of San Antonio was built with the cathedral at its center. It was renovated in 1898 and now resembles a French Gothic appearance that was traditional for its time. The intricate stained glass windows were added in the year 1920.

Standing outside the cathedral you can now see its massive twin white steeples, beautiful white stone exterior, and a large rose window that resides over the entrance. Once you step inside the entrance, you can see the famous statute of El Christo Negro surrounded by letters written by local visitors who have written to Jesus asking him or thanking him for miracles. To the left, a white stone container holds the remains of the heroes Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, who defended the Alamo in 1836.

san fernando stained glass

The beautiful religious art in the building holds an attraction for tourists and visitors from Latin America. Various stone carvings and statues reside throughout the church and behind the altar. This includes a stone circle that marks the official center of the city of San Antonio. Several tall, slender stained glass windows line the walls of the church. Above the altar is a large octagon shaped stained glass window that features a white dove.

The San Fernando is not only significant for its architecture, but also its history as well. The cathedral is located only a half mile away from the Alamo, where Jim Bowie famously defended the city while laying on his deathbed sick from yellow fever. The hero had also been married in the San Fernando some years before. Hence the reason for its location being the site of his remains. After the Texans won their independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto, they returned to the cathedral as well. It’s also known that the cathedral was the burial grounds for several distinct religious members. For this reason, some people believe that it’s haunted by ghosts of the past.

Martin Faith is a stained glass artisan from Glasgow and a collector of rare and antique stained glass windows. Martin has spent over 30 years perfecting his skills as a glassmaker and is well-versed in both traditional and modern techniques, as well as a range of stained glass styles, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Mackintosh, Prairie, Mission, and beveled glass. Shortly after moving to the United States, Martin started his own business selling stained glass windows. Stained Glass San Antonio has produced over 50,000 stained and leaded glass windows and successfully completed hundreds of religious glass restoration projects for churches.

Share this post


REQUEST A QUOTE