Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains

History & Significance

Basilica · Est. Cornerstone laid May 1841; consecrated November 2, 1845

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, on 8th and Plum streets in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, had its cornerstone laid in May 1841 by Bishop John Baptist Purcell, who consecrated it on November 2, 1845. Designed by architect Henry Walter in white limestone Greek Revival style with a 224-foot spire, it serves as the mother church and cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It hosted the 5th National Eucharistic Congress in 1911 and memorial services for Presidents Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Pope Francis designated it a minor basilica in June 2020.

Greek Revival, white limestone with a 224-foot spire

• •Cathedral and mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati
• •Cornerstone laid 1841 by Bishop John Baptist Purcell; consecrated November 2, 1845
• •Designated a minor basilica by Pope Francis in June 2020
• •Added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 18, 1973
• •Designed by architect Henry Walter; hosted the 5th National Eucharistic Congress in 1911