1715 N. Zarmzamora * San Antonio, Texas * 78201
History
Construction of the
National Shrine of the Little Flower
National Shrine of the Little Flower
The building located on the corner of Kentucky and Zarzamora originally began as Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Thérèse Church, founded by Spanish friars who came to San Antonio by way of Torreon, Mexico in 1926. The Discalced Carmelite Friars intentionally chose an undeveloped area of San Antonio which had long been home to first generation immigrants from Mexico. Along with wanting to carry out their mission of fostering the evangelization of the Christian body, the Carmelite fathers also wanted to enrich the lives of the community by giving them a “royal house” to worship in.
The construction of the National Shrine of the Little Flower was completed in 1931 and it was dedicated in the same year. So, September 29, 2006 marked the buildings 75th anniversary.
Adjacent to the church is the monastery housing, a community of Discalced Carmelite friars. The friars carry out apostolic activities and provide teaching on the life of prayer.
Across the street from the church is the Little Flower School and the Convent of Sisters of the Holy Spirit. The school is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2007.
It was the spiritual devotion, deep faith, and financial support of thousands of people from all over the world, during the Depression Era which made the original construction of the church possible. It is that same level of commitment that has enabled the Carmelites to carry on restoration activites on the basilica building.
A National Land Mark is provided for the West Side of San Antonio
The National Shrine of the Little Flower boasts of being the first National Shrine dedicated to St. Therese. Architecturally, it is one of the grandest buildings in San Antonio. Historically, it highlights the missionary work of the Carmelite Friars and the faith development of the West Side of San Antonio.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower has the stature of being, “the most beautiful church in San Antonio.” Nationwide, it is most certainly the most artful and magnificent church built in honor of St. Therese. The church is filled with significant works of fine art such as hand carved Stations of the Cross, a hand carved retable above the main altar, marble altars and beautiful stained glass. A rose motif has found its way into most of the fine art. In addition, the Shrine boasts of its possession of a painting of St. Therese which was worked on by her own blood sister, Sr. Celine Martin. This painting was carried in procession to the Vatican on the occasion of the canonization of St. Therese in 1925.
The Shrine’s grand architectural scale is matched by the quality and uniqueness of its interior decorative elements including custim finishes, light fixtures, furnishing, statuary, and iron work. The rose, the symbol St. Therese, serves as the common theme in these custom designed elements and is found in the floor tile, the stone and wrought iron detailing, the cast brass light fixtures, and the leaded glass under the dome over the crossing.
Just inside the vestibule or narthex is a beautifully tiled gathering space accented with roses and inscribed with the words “National Shrine of the Little Flower.” At one corner is an iron gate designed by Theo Voss, a renowned California artist who learned his trade in Germany. Each flower is hand forged with no two roses being alike.
The top of the gate features the shield of Carmel. The three stars represent the three principle. transitional periods of time in the Order. The Cross symbolizes the Teresian Reform, symbolically rising from the top of Mt. Carmel. What was once the baptistery is now the location of the elevator.
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