Portland police seek Our Lady of Guadalupe statue stolen from cathedral
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The stately Gothic Revival Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, of the Catholic Diocese of Portland, was designed by noted church architect P. C. Keeley of New York.
Waymark Code: WMRX89
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 08/16/2016
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In September of 2015 the cathedral was the victim of a robbery, in which a statue of the Virgin Mary, about 3½ feet in height was stolen from a shelf during an overnight break in. Some of the story of the cathedral follows, while the news story on the break in, published September 25, 2015 by the Portland Press Herald, is reproduced in part further below.
When construction of this Cathedral began in early 1866, no one suspected that they would have to start anew in just a few months. This is, however, just what happened when the Great Portland Fire of July 4, 1866 levelled the Cathedral, along with half of the city. Rebuilding began in 1868 and the Cathedral was dedicated on September 8, 1869.
Restored in 2000 (the Millennium Restoration), it had also been restored in 1921 and renovated in 1969. The interior is 186' by 70' and the vaulted ceiling rises 70' above the floor. The length of the main aisle is 150'. There are 7 pillars on each side of the nave which form 7 Gothic arches. The Cathedral seats 900 people.
With three steeples, the Cathedral is the tallest building in Portland, the main spire soaring 204 feet above ground. Also, there are a pair of bell towers, a second at the rear of the nave on the northeast side. Each tower is topped by a tall, slender spire with flared eaves. The main entrance is a large Gothic double doorway with a deep multi-stepped stone frame and a portico roof above. Above is a symbol of the Catholic Bishop, while further above is a large rose window, containing stained glass and heavy tracery. A second smaller front entrance in the large tower mimics the main entry.
At the front of the nave is a large balcony mounted pipe organ, set off by the large rose window behind. Side windows and chancel windows are all stained glass, most dedicated to past parishioners.
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Portland police seek Our Lady of Guadalupe statue stolen from cathedral
The statue, which is about 4 feet high, was stolen in an overnight break-in last week.
Posted September 25, 2015
BY DAVID HENCH STAFF WRITER
Someone sneaked into the chapel at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and stole a statue of the Virgin Mary off the shelf, according to Portland police.
Police are trying to locate the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was stolen from the Roman Catholic church at 307 Congress St. The chapel is a building on the east side of the church.
At some point during the night of Sept. 17 or early on Sept. 18, somebody went into the chapel and grabbed the statue, which stands 3½ to 4 feet high and is valued at about $1,000.
Police are not sure how the break-in occurred, but said there were no signs of forced entry. The cathedral’s address is on Congress Street, but its front doors are located on Cumberland Avenue.
The statue depicts the Virgin Mary in a red dress and a blue veil with stars.
Dave Guthro, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, said a group had met in the chapel until about 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 17. Staff members who arrived at 6 a.m. the next day discovered the statue was missing.
Read more at the Portland Press Herald