Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola

History of the Cathedral

St. Ignatius Loyola Parish was established on June 25, 1970, by Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll of the Archdiocese of Miami. The Rev. John Mulcahy was the founding pastor, and the first Mass was offered at Palm Beach Gardens Community High School to fewer than two dozen people on July 5, 1970. A multi-purpose worship and parish hall opened in December 1974 and served the growing community for the next ten years, joined by a rectory in 1979. By 1982 the parish had more than 2,000 households and began planning for a permanent church. Construction started in September 1983, and while it was underway Pope John Paul II erected the Diocese of Palm Beach on June 16, 1984. The in-progress church was chosen as the new diocese's mother church; it was dedicated as the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola on October 6, 1984, by Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy. Three weeks later Bishop Thomas V. Daily was installed as the first Bishop of Palm Beach inside the still-new cathedral.

Architecture and Sacred Art

The cathedral is built in a Modern architectural style, with exterior walls of native Florida coral rock and an interior designed around natural light. The sanctuary soars 75 feet in an inverted arch, and pews are arranged on a sloped floor so worshipers can see and participate more fully. The bishop's cathedra is the liturgical focal point. The signature feature is the East Window — a floor-to-ceiling stained glass wall designed by liturgical artist Mario Agustin Locsin y Montenegro. In 2005 the sanctuary was renovated with a new wood reredos and Italian marble sanctuary furniture. Combined capacity (cathedral nave plus Our Lady's Chapel) is approximately 1,250 worshipers.

• Modern architectural style
• Native Florida coral rock exterior
• 75-foot inverted-arch sanctuary
• Sloped-floor pew arrangement
• East Window stained glass by Mario Agustin Locsin y Montenegro
• 2005 sanctuary renovation: wood reredos and Italian marble
• Combined seating: ~1,250 (cathedral + Our Lady's Chapel)

Parish Ministries and Faith Formation

The cathedral runs a full formation program for children, youth, adults, and those coming into the Church through the OCIA (formerly RCIA) process. Adult faith formation is led by Greg Pratt, with John Beaudoin serving as Campus Manager and Director of Religious Education. Music is led by Director of Music Tom Wilcoxson, whose team supports the LifeTeen 5:00 PM Sunday liturgy and the broader parish repertoire.

• OCIA / RCIA — Becoming Catholic and Completing Sacraments
• Faith Formation & Religious Education for children
• Bible Study
• Youth Ministry / Youth Group (events include 'Cathedral's Got Talent')
• Young Adult Ministry
• Adult Faith Formation
• LifeTeen Music Ministry (5:00 PM Sunday Mass)
• Music Ministry / Choirs

Diocese of Palm Beach

The cathedral is the seat (mother church) of the Diocese of Palm Beach, established by Pope John Paul II on June 16, 1984. The diocese began with 38 parishes serving about 103,000 Catholics and has grown to 50 parishes, three missions, and one pastoral center with a Catholic population of roughly 260,000 across Palm Beach, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. The Most Rev. Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez was ordained and installed as the sixth Bishop of Palm Beach in the cathedral on February 24, 2026, succeeding Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito (2003–2025). Previous bishops were Thomas V. Daily (1984–1990), J. Keith Symons (1990–1998), Anthony J. O'Connell (1998–2003), and Sean O'Malley (2002, briefly, before being named Archbishop of Boston).

• Established: June 16, 1984
• Territory: Palm Beach, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties
• 50 parishes, 3 missions, 1 pastoral center; ~260,000 Catholics
• Current bishop: Most Rev. Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez (installed Feb. 24, 2026)

Visiting the Cathedral

The cathedral is located at 9999 N. Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens, just off I-95 exit 77, with free on-site parking. Visitors are welcome at any daily Mass in Our Lady's Chapel, at any Sunday Mass in the main church, and during Friday Adoration. Beyond its role as a working parish, the cathedral serves as the ceremonial setting for major diocesan events — bishop's ordinations and installations, anniversaries, and ordinations to the priesthood — making it the principal pilgrimage site in the diocese.

• Address: 9999 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
• Phone: (561) 622-2565
• Email: office@cathedralpb.com
• From I-95 exit 77: west ~½ mile, right (north) on Military Trail ~1 mile, cathedral on the left
• On-site parking; accessible along Military Trail
• Notable features: East Window, coral exterior, 75-foot sanctuary, 2005 marble reredos