Great cities have great cathedrals.
San Antonio is blessed with one such place, San Fernando. San Fernando Cathedral is premiering its book, "City Centre -- A Celebration of the History and Future of San Fernando Cathedral" on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001. The 80-page book is a pictorial collection assembled to commemorate the culmination of the City Centre Capital Campaign.
"San Fernando is our heritage, an ancient witness to our history," said Father David Garcia, Rector, San Fernando Cathedral. "For over 270 years it has stood in silent testimony to the story that evolved of a people on the northern frontier of New Spain who became the citizens of a dynamic city in the southwestern United States."
The book is a culmination of the success of the City Centre Campaign that raised more than $15 million. It commemorates San Fernando Cathedral through the imagery of its past, present and future. The book includes photos from the pioneering years of the early 1700s to present-day.
Photos depicted in the book range from a nostalgic photo of a family after mass in the 1700s, to an April 2001 photo of Father David Garcia with his holiness Pope John Paul II. "City Centre -- A Celebration of the History and Future of San Fernando Cathedral" brings to life the rich and vibrant history of this Texas Institution. The book concept was developed by Creative Civilization, the marketing agency of record for City Centre.
The parish church of San Fernando was founded in 1731. San Fernando Cathedral's Colonial Church is the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral sanctuary in the United States. The Cathedral is the oldest building in Texas, as well as home of the state's oldest continuously active parish.
San Fernando Cathedral has been at the heart of the San Antonio community for over 270 years. The historic cathedral serves as the foundation for San Antonio's religious, cultural, historical, civic and artistic development. San Fernando is not only for the Catholic community, it is for all people to enjoy.
