The Basilica of St. Lawrence is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church located in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
When Vanderbilt brought stone masons from Spain and Italy to build Biltmore, there were no churches in which the Catholic masons could worship. Eventually churches were built.
The tile designer for Biltmore was Rafael Guastavino.
He was the designer of the Basilica of St. Lawrence, which was built in 1905.
Over the main entrance is a polychrome tile.
This style of tile is seen frequently in the basilica.
He designed the church that became the Basilica.
Much of the church, walls, ceilings, and floors, are covered by his tilework.
If some of his work seems familiar, he is also the designer of many NY subway stations and Grand Central Station.
The basilica's dome has a span of 58 by 82 feet (18 by 25 m) and is reputed to be the largest freestanding elliptical dome in North America.[2]
I was particularly struck by the stained glass.
Much of it was made in Germany.
.
We were there on a bright day, and it was magnificent.
Guastavino died before the building was complete.
He is entombed here.
The altar has a fresco of the Last Supper.
If you google St. Lawrence Basilica, you can see more exterior and wide-angle photos.
The Basilica's website is here: http://www.saintlawrencebasilica.org/basilica.html
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