About Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains · Cincinnati, Ohio
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati, located at the corner of 8th and Plum Streets in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Designed by architect Henry Walter in the Greek Revival style, its cornerstone was laid in 1841 and Bishop (later Archbishop) John Baptist Purcell dedicated the completed building on November 2, 1845 — making it the oldest cathedral built as a cathedral that is still in use in the United States, and the first large church west of the Allegheny Mountains. On June 29, 2020 (the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul), Pope Francis elevated it to the status of a minor basilica, the 89th in the United States and the first in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It is celebrated for an enormous Venetian-glass mosaic, a Cellini crucifix corpus, and a 224-foot limestone spire.
- Established
- 1841 (cornerstone); 1845 (dedication)
- Patron
- Saint Peter in Chains (the Apostle Peter's imprisonment by Herod Agrippa and miraculous liberation by an angel, as recounted in Acts 12)
- Rector
- Very Reverend Jan Kevin Schmidt (Rector, appointed July 1, 2017)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Roman Catholic, Latin Church)
Why belong here
The Cathedral Basilica serves as both the spiritual heart of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and an active downtown parish. Daily Mass is offered three times each weekday, confession is heard six days a week in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and Eucharistic Adoration is a regular devotion — making it unusually easy for working Catholics and visitors to drop in. Beyond its landmark architecture and the sacraments, the parish quietly ministers to the urban poor, runs an active St. Vincent de Paul conference, partners with Catholic Charities agencies of Southwest Ohio (e.g., Su Casa Hispanic Ministry, Pregnancy Center Plus), and welcomes newcomers through its OCIA (RCIA) process each fall. Joining the parish means participating in the living mission of a 180-year-old basilica at the center of the archdiocese.
Mass times at Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 7:30 AM, 12:00–12:30 PM, 4:30–5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:30 AM, 12:00–12:30 PM, 4:30–5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:30 AM, 12:00–12:30 PM, 4:30–5:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:30 AM, 12:00–12:30 PM, 4:30–5:00 PM
- Friday: 7:30 AM, 12:00–12:30 PM, 4:30–5:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00–2:00 PM
- Confessionals are located in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel; both face-to-face and behind-the-screen options are available.
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered (contact Sacristan Pete Taylor at 513-263-3373 for the current weekly schedule).
History of the Cathedral Basilica
St. Peter in Chains is the third cathedral of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the oldest cathedral built as a cathedral that remains in use in the United States, and the first large church west of the Allegheny Mountains. Bishop John Baptist Purcell laid the cornerstone on May 20, 1841, on a Plum Street lot purchased the previous December; he consecrated the completed Greek Revival building on November 2, 1845. The cathedral was extensively remodeled under Archbishop Karl Joseph Alter between 1951 and 1957 — Archdiocese architect Edward J. Schulte added transepts, a rectory, a sacristy and offices, and on November 3, 1957, Alter rededicated the rebuilt cathedral. Pope Francis raised the church to a minor basilica on June 29, 2020, after a petition initiated in 2018 by Rector Fr. Jan Kevin Schmidt.
- 1821 — Diocese of Cincinnati erected by Pope Pius VII (June 19).
- 1826 — Bishop Edward Fenwick dedicates the first St. Peter's Cathedral (Dec. 17).
- 1840 — Plum Street lot purchased (Dec. 1).
- 1841 — Cornerstone laid (May 20) under Bishop Purcell.
- 1845 — Cathedral consecrated (Nov. 2).
- 1850 — Cincinnati elevated to a metropolitan see (July 19).
- 1855 — Front portico completed; gas lighting installed.
- 1862 — Repairs include new grand colonnade and altar arch.
- 1871 — First major renovation: sacristies removed, stained glass added, marble altar.
- 1876 — Purcell's 50th-ordination anniversary celebrated.
- 1883 — Archbishop Purcell's funeral Mass.
- 1890 — Second Congress of American Colored Catholics (July 8–10).
- 1898 — Electric lights installed.
- 1899 — New electric-bellows organ installed.
- 1911 — 5th National Eucharistic Congress.
- 1917 — Retreat for 600 enlisted men.
- 1937 — Parish organizes Red Cross relief for Ohio River flood.
- 1938 — Cathedral status transferred to St. Monica in Clifton Heights.
- 1951 — Archbishop Alter's five-year restoration begins.
- 1957 — Twelve Petit & Fritsen Dutch bells blessed (Feb. 24); new high altar and Blessed Sacrament Chapel altars consecrated; cathedral rededicated (Nov. 3).
- 1998 — Fantacchiotti marble angels donated to the Cincinnati Art Museum (May).
- 2010 — Tower bells refurbished; rededication on Christ the King (Nov. 21).
- 2018 — Relics of St. Padre Pio on display (October).
- 2020 — Pope Francis designates it a minor basilica (June 29).
- 2025 — Installation Mass for Archbishop Robert G. Casey held in the basilica (April 3).
Art & Architecture
Designed by Henry Walter in the Greek Revival style and built of pure white limestone, the cathedral's signature feature is a single soaring spire that rises 224 feet above street level — for decades the tallest man-made structure in Cincinnati. The 33-foot front-portico columns symbolize the years of Christ's life; the interior displays Corinthian columns of French blue marble, an Italian dark-green-and-white marble floor, and massive bronze doors. The interior design is uniquely Greek-themed among American Roman Catholic cathedrals.
- Greek Revival style by architect Henry Walter (1841–1845); renovated by Edward J. Schulte (1951–1957).
- 224-foot white-limestone spire; 33-foot portico columns.
- Venetian-glass apse mosaic by Anton Wendling (35 ft × 40 ft) — largest in the United States; scenes of Peter in chains and Paul visiting Peter in the Mamertine Prison.
- Carl Zimmerman's Greek-themed Stations-of-the-Cross murals.
- French-blue-marble Corinthian columns around the altar.
- Italian dark-green-and-white marble flooring (replacing original oak).
- Odoardo Fantacchiotti's Carrara-marble Praying Angel (1848) and Adoring Angel (1849), now at Cincinnati Art Museum.
- Bronze doors (giant) on the principal entrance.
- Benvenuto Cellini gilt-bronze corpus on a processional cross (re-acquired from the Cincinnati Art Museum in 1957).
- 15th/16th-century Spanish oak-and-ivory missal stand of Cardinal Ximenes de Cisneros.
- Cathedral motto: "In Vinculis Vinco" ('In chains, I conquer').
The Bells of the Spire
The original tower bells were cast by Cincinnati bell-founder George L. Hanks in 1851 and dedicated on January 11, 1852; a tower clock by Francis Stein (or Steine) was connected to them by July 4, 1852, playing tunes automatically at three-hour intervals. The clock was replaced in the 1930s by the Verdin Co. (the chime was sold and moved in 1955 to St. Teresa of Avila in Cincinnati). The Hanks hour bell remains, joined in 1957 by twelve new bells cast by the Petit & Fritsen Royal Bellfoundry of the Netherlands. In 2010 the Verdin Co. completely refurbished the system and installed a new keyboard and automatic playing mechanism; the bells were formally rededicated on November 21, 2010, the Feast of Christ the King.
Mass & Sacraments
The Cathedral Basilica is the principal church of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and offers an unusually full schedule of sacraments: daily Mass (with one morning Mass livestreamed), regular Confession seven days a week in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Eucharistic Adoration, marriage preparation, infant baptism, and Anointing of the Sick. Low-gluten hosts can be arranged for parishioners with allergies. Communion to the homebound can be arranged by calling the parish office. A 'Declaration of Freedom to Marry' (annulment help) is available at no cost through one of the parish deacons.
- Daily Mass Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM (livestreamed), 11:30 AM, 5:15 PM.
- Sunday Masses: 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM (per parish bulletin).
- Confessions Mon–Fri at 7:30 AM, 12:00–12:30 PM, and 4:30–5:00 PM; Saturdays 12:00–2:00 PM.
- Confessionals in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (face-to-face and screen options).
- Eucharistic Adoration available (contact Sacristan Pete Taylor at 513-263-3373).
- Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders — see parish staff page.
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
The Cathedral Basilica offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — formerly the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — for adults who wish to become Catholic or who simply want to learn more about the Catholic faith. An informational session is held each summer, with formal classes beginning in September. Inquiries should be directed to Deacon Ed Bayliss through the parish office.
- OCIA informational gathering each summer (e.g., July session).
- Classes begin in September.
- Contact Deacon Ed Bayliss (513-263-3371 / [email protected]).
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Although it is best known as a landmark and cathedral of the archdiocese, the parish has a robust pastoral life — from sacramental preparation and the OCIA process to liturgical ministries, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, the Cathedral Music Society, Respect Life activities, and partnerships with Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio agencies such as Su Casa Hispanic Ministry and Pregnancy Center Plus.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — Mike Schwarz (513-260-2270).
- Liturgical Ministries / Sacristans — Deacon Michael Trimpe (513-257-3649); Pete Taylor (513-263-3373).
- Wedding Ministry — Blake Callahan.
- Pastoral Council — Fr. Jan Schmidt (513-263-6653).
- Finance Commission — Deacon Ed Bayliss (513-263-3371).
- Welcome New Parishioners — Liliana Kimmet (859-816-4709).
- Respect Life Ministry — parish partnership.
- Catholic Charities partners: Su Casa Hispanic Ministry, Pregnancy Center Plus.
Music & the Cathedral Music Society
Music at the Cathedral Basilica is directed by Music Director Matthew Geerlings and Assistant Music Director / Organist Blake Callahan. The Cathedral Music Society supports a 2023–24 concert series (e.g., Vox Luminus in October 2023, Gallicantus in March 2024) and accepts Sustainer, Benefactor, Sponsor, Patron, Donor and Contributor memberships that come with reserved seats. The cathedral's organ (with electric bellows) was installed in 1899.
- Cathedral Music Director: Matthew Geerlings ([email protected], 513-263-5162).
- Assistant Music Director / Organist: Blake Callahan ([email protected]).
- Cathedral Music Society — concert series and donor tiers (from Contributor at $35 to Sustainer at $1,000+).
- Volunteer choirs and cantors support the full schedule of Masses and liturgical celebrations.
Vocations
The parish actively supports vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and the permanent diaconate. Men discerning priesthood or religious life may speak with any priest on staff or contact Fr. Dan Schmitmeyer at 513-263-3390; men discerning the permanent diaconate may contact Deacon Mark Machuga at 513-263-6641.
- Priesthood and Religious Life: Fr. Dan Schmitmeyer, 513-263-3390.
- Permanent Diaconate: Deacon Mark Machuga, 513-263-6641.
Visiting & Tours
Free guided tours of the cathedral and its museum are offered monthly following the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass, focusing on the historical, architectural, artistic, scriptural, ecclesial and theological aspects of the building and its support structures. Private tours for groups of ten or more can also be arranged during the week. A self-guided tour document is available on the cathedral's website (cathedralaoc.org).
- Monthly guided tour following the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass.
- Private group tours (10+) by appointment during the week.
- Self-guided tour materials on the parish website.
- Parish Office open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Contact & Staff
The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, and is staffed by the Business Manager, Parish Secretary, and Sacramental Coordinator. Clergy, deacons, music staff and maintenance supervisors all have dedicated email addresses and direct-dial extensions.
- Rector: Very Rev. Jan Kevin Schmidt — [email protected], 513-263-6653 (emergency 513-520-7442).
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Raymond E. Larger — [email protected], 513-263-3351.
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Kevin Scalf, C.PP.S. — [email protected].
- Deacon Michael Trimpe — [email protected], 513-263-3380 (Liturgical Ministries).
- Deacon Larry Day — [email protected], 513-263-3389.
- Deacon / Business Manager Ed Bayliss — [email protected], 513-263-3371.
- Music Director Matthew Geerlings — [email protected], 513-263-5162.
- Parish Secretary Pattie Bauer — [email protected], 513-421-5354.
- Sacristan Pete Taylor — [email protected], 513-263-3373.
- Maintenance Supervisor Joe Kennedy — [email protected], 513-263-3377.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Reverend Jan Kevin Schmidt2017–present
Appointed Rector (Pastor) on July 1, 2017; in 2018 he petitioned the Vatican, with Archbishop Schnurr's permission, for the minor-basilica title, which was granted in June 2020.