Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine – Freehold, New Jersey (2019)
Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, a prominent Roman Catholic church, serves as a co-cathedral alongside the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. The parish itself dates back to 1971. The present brick-clad church building was completed and dedicated in late 2002. It officially attained the status of a co-cathedral in 2017. Designed by VS Riggi Architects, the facility accommodates a seating capacity of over 1,100 parishioners within its main worship space.
In Catholic tradition, four angels placed at different directions often symbolize the Archangels of the Four Corners of the Earth (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel), acting as guardians and protectors over the community. Aside from their religious significance, the statues act as a prominent landmark on the campus grounds. For instance, the parish routinely uses them as a designated drop-off and gathering point for its community outreach programs, such as the Holiday Meals Ministry food basket delivery.
We had to note the St. Francis sculpture with a bird perched atop.