St. Helena Church
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2024) |
| Helena | |
|---|---|
 Pictured in 2016 | |
 | |
| 38°27′17″N 27°06′52″E / 38.45475°N 27.11446°E | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Raymond Charles Péré |
| Completed | 1904 |
St. Helena is a Catholic church in Karşıyaka, Turkey. It was built in 1904 and designed by Raymond Charles Péré.[1] The church is named after Saint Helena of Constantinople, the wife of Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus and mother of Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. She is thought to have discovered and preserved the True Cross and other relics of Jesus.[2]
History
[edit]St. Helena Catholic Church was designed by Raymond Charles Péré, the architect of İzmir Clock Tower in Konak.[2] The church rose on land allocated to the Catholic Community of Father Don Alfonso Vallery in the early 20th century.
Construction was completed in 1904, with the financial support of Count Nikolai Alliotti and permission granted by Abdul Hamid II. The Muslim Community in Karşıyaka contributed through donations.[3]
Structural issues led to an interior renovation in 1968, with efforts to protect the church's historical character.[3] The exterior remains unrenovated. To prevent damage, the brick arches were reinforced with concrete.
Services
[edit]St. Helena Catholic Church is actively used.[2]
Design
[edit]The church features built-in brick, concrete, and sandstone. The interior uses multiple marbles. Italian marble is used on an altar located at an apse, while the columns and heads located at the nave use Marmara marble. The most important column is the first religious martyr of the city, St. Polycorpos.
This church is built on the Basilica plan, inspired by Gothic architecture. It avoids the use of columns along the main axis.[citation needed] A big gallery sits between the small galleries. At the upper part of the church is an organ used for women to pray.
St. Helena is surrounded by residential buildings, in the center of Karşıyaka. The church is isolated from its surroundings by its garden. The church and its garden are protected with high walls and large doors that lead in a straight line to the church doors. In this case, the church has an axial approach.[citation needed]
References
[edit]
- ^ Berkant, Cenk (February 2006). "The Man Who Put His Signature On Izmir: Raymond Charles Péré". Skylife. Turkish Airlines: 71–74. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- ^ a b c "ST. HELEN KİLİSESİ ( SANTA ALINA) KARŞIYAKA İZMİR KARŞIYAKA Izmir | Sanal Tur | Mekan360.com". mekan360.com. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Saint Helen Catholic Church". izmir.ktb.gov.tr. Retrieved 7 August 2024.