Cathedral of Saint Paul

History of the Cathedral of Saint Paul

Saint Paul's was born of Worcester's mid-nineteenth-century Catholic growth. In 1866 Archbishop John Williams directed Father John Power, then pastor of St. Anne's, to purchase land for a third and larger parish church; the $15,000 lot on Chatham and Main Streets was swapped for a pear orchard at Chatham and High to avoid Main Street widening. Designed by Elbridge Boyden of E. Boyden & Son in Victorian Gothic style, ground was broken in spring 1868 and the basement Mass was offered July 4, 1869. The upper church was dedicated July 16, 1874 by Bishop Patrick T. O'Reilly of Springfield, the granite tower was finished in 1889, and the mortgage was burned in 1895. On January 14, 1950 Pope Pius XII erected the Diocese of Worcester, and on March 7, 1950 — Holy Year — the new first bishop, John J. Wright, took possession of the church, which became the Cathedral of Saint Paul, marked by the ringing of a new 2,600-pound bell.

Architecture and Historic Designation

The Cathedral is a large stone cruciform Victorian Gothic structure of rough-hewn granite, with soaring pointed arches reaching 96 feet, walls 91 feet across, and a 168-foot-long nave terminating in a 145-foot granite bell tower. The architect Elbridge Boyden, also responsible for Mechanics Hall and the First Congregational Church in Spencer, gave Worcester a landmark that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 5, 1980 (NRHP 80000604) under the Worcester Multiple Resource Area.

• Style: Victorian Gothic / Gothic Revival
• Architect: E. Boyden & Son (Elbridge Boyden, Boston)
• Materials: granite exterior, wood interior roof structure
• Dimensions: 168 ft long × 91 ft wide × 96 ft high; bell tower ~145 ft
• NRHP added: March 5, 1980 — reference No. 80000604

Stained Glass and Sanctuary Furnishings

The Cathedral's most distinctive artistic feature is the cycle of stained glass commissioned in the 1950s by Bishop Wright from graphic artist Clare Leighton and crafted by the O'Duggan Glass Studio of Boston. The windows were designed to teach — Leighton wrote that 'our generation of Catholics needs the inspiration of Saint Paul's example.' Ten fifteen-foot windows in the sanctuary and nave narrate events in the life of Saint Paul; fourteen six-foot clerestory windows more than fifty feet above the floor depict the Twelve Apostles with traditional emblems plus the Lamb of God and Saint Stephen; and choir-loft windows carry angels against a blue ground beneath the diocesan coat of arms. The sanctuary was fitted with white Botticino marble wainscoting in 1952, the vestibule crucifix in 1953, and the 1902 altar was replaced in 1996 with a green and white marble altar bearing a bas-relief Last Supper, alongside a new tabernacle shrine.

• Ten 15-foot narrative windows of the life of Saint Paul (Clare Leighton / O'Duggan Studio, 1950s)
• Fourteen 6-foot clerestory windows of the Twelve Apostles, the Lamb of God, and Saint Stephen
• Choir-loft windows with angels and the Diocese of Worcester coat of arms
• Green and white marble altar (1996) with Last Supper bas-relief
• White Botticino marble wainscoting (1952)
• Tabernacle shrine (1996)

Renovations and the Legacy of Hope Campaign

After Vatican II, the Cathedral's choir was moved forward and other sanctuary changes followed the Council's liturgical reforms. Following decades of use, in 2021 the diocese launched a major restoration under the Legacy of Hope Capital Campaign: the roof was replaced, several windows restored, and the outside masonry repaired — with the work approved by the Worcester Historical Commission. By 2026 the diocese launched a further campaign to raise $500,000 for structural repairs to the bell tower and upgrades to the electrical and mechanical systems, ensuring this 1889 landmark continues to serve for another century.

• 1952: Botticino marble wainscoting added to sanctuary
• 1953: Vestibule crucifix installed
• 1960s: Post-Vatican II liturgical reordering (choir moved forward)
• 1996: New green/white marble altar and tabernacle shrine
• 2021: Major restoration — roof, windows, masonry (Legacy of Hope Capital Campaign)
• 2026: $500,000 campaign for bell tower and mechanical/electrical upgrades

Parish Ministries and Outreach

The Cathedral carries out a wide range of pastoral ministries, anchored by the diocesan Office of Hispanic/Latino Ministry (directed from the Cathedral by Fr. Cano) and including a Music Office, Elder Outreach Ministry, the Saint Oscar Romero Food Pantry at the parish office building, and Baptism Preparation in both English and Spanish. Healing Masses in Spanish (Misa de Sanación) are celebrated periodically. The Cathedral also partners in the annual diocesan Partners in Charity appeal and is part of the Bishop's pastoral-planning initiative for the North Worcester cluster.

• Hispanic Ministry / Ministerio Hispano
• Elder Outreach / Ministerio de los Ancianos
• Music Office / Oficina del Ministerio Música
• Saint Oscar Romero Food Pantry
• Misa de Sanación / Healing Mass in Spanish
• Baptism Preparation (English & Spanish)
• Partners in Charity (Diocesan appeal)
• Pastoral Planning for North Worcester parishes

Sacraments

Information about the seven sacraments and their preparation is available through the parish office (508-799-4193). The Cathedral celebrates the Eucharist daily, offers Confession six days a week, prepares parents and godparents for infant Baptism in English and Spanish, celebrates the Anointing of the Sick at the Spanish Healing Mass, and provides marriage and Holy Orders preparation through the parish office.

• Eucharist (daily and Sunday)
• Penance / Reconciliation
• Baptism (with required parent and godparent preparation)
• Anointing of the Sick (Healing Mass)
• Matrimony and Holy Orders (by appointment)

Clergy and Parish Leadership

The Cathedral is led by Rector Rev. Hugo A. Cano, who was appointed effective July 1, 2021 while retaining his role as Diocesan Director of the Office of Hispanic/Latino Ministry. A native of Colombia, Fr. Cano was ordained for the Diocese of Worcester in 2012, served in parish ministry, and was chaplain at Worcester Polytechnic Institute before being named rector. He succeeds Msgr. James P. Moroney, who now pastors St. Cecilia Parish in Leominster and continues as Diocesan Director of the Office for Divine Worship. Monsignor Michael Patrick Kavanagh was rector when the Cathedral was elevated in 1950, and Fr. John Power was the parish's founding pastor (1869–1902). The Bishop of Worcester is the Most Rev. Robert J. McManus.

• Rector: Rev. Hugo A. Cano (since 2021)
• Parochial Vicar: Fr. Diego Buriticá (since 2021)
• Most Rev. Robert J. McManus — Bishop of Worcester
• Diocese of Worcester: erected March 7, 1950