Ancient Roman architecture could penetrate through the clerestory windows. The oldest known basilica, the Basilica Porcia, was built in Rome in 184 BC by Cato the Elder during the time he was Censor. Other early examples include the basilica at Pompeii (late 2nd century BC). After Christianity became the official religion, the basilica shape was found appropriate for the first large public churches, with the attraction of avoiding reminiscences of the Greco-Roman temple form. The Roman circus was a large open-air venue used for public events in the ancient Roman Empire. The circuses were similar to the ancient Greek hippodromes, although circuses served
Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (Mobile, Alabama) 1991 as part of the Historic Roman Catholic Properties in Mobile Multiple Property Submission. Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (Mobile, Alabama) Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic church building in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It serves as the parish church for St. Joseph's Parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile. St. Joseph's Parish is the third oldest in Mobile. It was formed in 1857 to serve Catholics too far removed from the downtown Cathedral and the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in South Mobile. St. Joseph's Parish is approaching it's 160th year of service