About Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception · Peoria, Illinois
The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (commonly known as St. Mary's Cathedral) is the mother church and seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, located at 607 NE Madison Avenue in Peoria. Built between 1885 and 1889 to the design of Chicago architect Casper Mehler in Gothic Revival style, the Anamosa-limestone cathedral is the spiritual home from which the Diocese of Peoria is governed and serves the Heart of Peoria Catholic Community alongside Sacred Heart, St. Bernard, and St. Joseph parishes. It is best known today as the burial place of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, whose remains were transferred from New York in 2019 and entombed at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help side altar, drawing pilgrims from around the world.
- Established
- 1846
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Monsignor Jason Gray, JCD (Rector and Pastor, effective July 2026; preceded in the role by Father William T. Miller)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Mary's Cathedral offers the full traditional Catholic life of a diocesan mother church: weekday English Mass (7 a.m., Monday–Friday) and Sunday Mass in both English (9:30 a.m.) and Spanish (11:30 a.m.), Friday Eucharistic Adoration from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Spalding Pastoral Center, and the chance to venerate the tomb of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — a treasured place of prayer for Catholics worldwide. As the seat of the Diocese of Peoria it is also a centre for diocesan liturgy, including ordinations, and is staffed by an English-speaking and bilingual (Spanish-speaking) clergy team that supports Hispanic ministry, faith formation (CCD), and Catholic education co-ops like St. Therese Home Schoolers.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 7:00–7:25 a.m. at Sacred Heart; 3:00 p.m. at St. Joseph (English)
- Sunday: 7:00 a.m. at St. Joseph (Spanish); 11:45 a.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral (Spanish, before the noon Spanish Mass)
- Monday: 11:00 a.m.–Noon at Sacred Heart
- Tuesday: 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph (Spanish)
- Wednesday: 11:00 a.m.–Noon at Sacred Heart
- Thursday: 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph (Spanish)
- Friday: 11:00 a.m.–Noon at Sacred Heart; 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph (Spanish)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration, every Friday 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Holy Spirit Chapel at the Spalding Pastoral Center, 419 NE Madison Ave., Peoria.
History of St. Mary's Cathedral
Catholic worship in Peoria predates the city itself. The first Mass in the vicinity was offered at Fort Crevecoeur (across the Illinois River) by Récollet missionaries including Fathers Gabriel Ribourde, Zenobius Membre, and Louis Hennepin. The parish that would become the cathedral was founded as St. Mary's Church in 1846 by the Rev. John A. Drew; the first frame church building was constructed in 1851 and used from 1852 until Bishop John Lancaster Spalding, first Bishop of Peoria, replaced it with the present Gothic Revival cathedral on Madison Avenue. See "Architecture & Building the Cathedral" below for the construction story, "The Old St. Mary's" for what was preserved and torn down, and "Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen" for the cathedral's modern significance.
- 1846 — Rev. John A. Drew founds St. Mary's Church, Peoria.
- 1851 — First frame St. Mary's church built.
- June 19, 1883 — Bishop Spalding buys the 600 block of Madison Avenue lots for $6,500.
- September 27, 1884 — Plans for new cathedral submitted by architect Casper Mehler.
- April 22, 1885 — Ground broken by Bishop Spalding.
- May 15, 1885 — First stone laid.
- June 28, 1885 — Bishop Spalding lays the cornerstone.
- May 15, 1889 — New Cathedral dedicated (exactly four years after the first stone).
- 1898 — Old St. Mary's demolished; Crucifixion painting and one bell preserved.
- 1936 — Present Wicks pipe organ (Opus 1503, 3,329 pipes) installed.
- November 21, 1983 — Cathedral added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the North Side Historic District.
- 2014–2016 — Major interior restoration by Daprato Rigali Studios.
- June 27, 2019 — Archbishop Sheen's remains transferred from New York and entombed at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help side altar.
Architecture & Building the Cathedral
Bishop Spalding engaged Chicago- and Peoria-based architect Casper Mehler, whose design was inspired by St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. W. A. Corwine of Lincoln, Nebraska, served as supervising architect, and Matthias Schnell of Rock Island was the contractor, with stone work, concrete, and masonry subcontracted to John A. Green. Construction required roughly four years of solid work between 1885 and 1889. The result is a Gothic Revival cathedral built in Anamosa Limestone, measuring 170 feet long by 80 feet wide, with twin spires that rise 230 feet above the Madison Avenue entrance.
- Architect: Casper Mehler
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Materials: Anamosa Limestone exterior
- Dimensions: 170 ft long × 80 ft wide; 230 ft twin spires
- Notable interior elements: 1873 Yzquierda Crucifixion painting on the reredos; south-tower bell from Old St. Mary's
- Organ: Wicks Organ Company Opus 1503 (1936), 3,329 pipes
- 2014–2016 interior restoration: Daprato Rigali Studios
The Old St. Mary's (1846–1898)
Old St. Mary's, the modest frame predecessor of the present cathedral, was built in 1851 and worshiped in for nearly four decades. When the new Gothic Revival cathedral opened in 1889, Old St. Mary's was eventually demolished in 1898. Two artifacts from the old church were retained and incorporated into the new cathedral: a Crucifixion painting created in 1873 by the Spanish artist Yzquierda (which Bishop Spalding purchased and which now hangs on the reredos behind the altar) and a bell hung in the south tower — the only physical elements of the original Catholic presence in Peoria still inside the cathedral.
- Painting: 'The Crucifixion' by Yzquierda, 1873
- Bell: Old St. Mary's bell in the south tower
- Old St. Mary's demolished: 1898
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979), the internationally famous Catholic televangelist, was born and raised in Peoria, served as an altar boy at this cathedral, and was ordained a priest here in 1919 for the Diocese of Peoria. After his death in 1979, his remains were interred at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. The Diocese of Peoria fought a three-year court battle with the Archdiocese of New York to bring his remains home. On June 27, 2019, his remains were transferred to Peoria and entombed in a marble monument at the side altar of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Vatican subsequently resumed his cause for canonization, and on July 6, 2019, Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to Sheen's intercession — the unexplained 2010 recovery of a newborn infant at OSF Medical Center, Peoria, who had been without vital signs for 61 minutes — bringing Sheen one step closer to beatification. Pilgrims now visit the tomb regularly.
- Sheen's remains transferred: June 27, 2019
- Tomb location: Our Lady of Perpetual Help side altar
- Recognized miracle (2010): newborn infant revived after 61 minutes without vital signs at OSF Medical Center, Peoria
- Decree: Pope Francis, July 6, 2019
- Tomb open hours: Mon–Fri 12–2 p.m.; Sat 12–3 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Tomb website: https://www.celebratesheen.com/tomb
Clergy & Staff
The cathedral is staffed by a team serving all four parishes of the Heart of Peoria Catholic Community. The Bishop of Peoria is Most Rev. Louis Tylka. The Rector of the Cathedral (and Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish) is Monsignor Jason Gray, JCD, effective July 2026, succeeding Father William T. Miller (2020–2026).
- Bishop Louis Tylka — Bishop of Peoria
- Father William T. Miller — Rector/Pastor (2020–2026)
- Monsignor Jason Gray, JCD — Rector/Pastor (effective July 2026)
- Father Thomas Gibson — Parochial Vicar / Hispanic Ministry
- Deacon Toby Tyler — Parish Deacon
- Deacon Brian Reynolds — Parish Deacon
- Jon Kroepel — Music Director, Cathedral
- Aria Main — Music Director, Sacred Heart
- Georgette Williams — Wedding Coordinator
- Jo Ellen Lohnes — Bookkeeper
- Beatrice Nava — Parish Secretary; CCD Coordinator
- Julie Enzenberger — Media
- Rhonda Bachman — Cathedral Tours
- Claire Crone — Director, Sophia's Kitchen
- Sr. Salvacion Tusing — Spiritual Director, Sophia's Kitchen
Ministries & Outreach
Beyond its diocesan and pilgrimage role, the cathedral supports a broad range of parish and outreach ministries, including Catholic education (St. Therese Home Schoolers co-op), Hispanic Ministry under the Parochial Vicar Fr. Thomas Gibson, religious education (CCD, coordinated by Beatrice Nava), music ministries at both the Cathedral and Sacred Heart, and the Sophia's Kitchen soup kitchen (with its director and spiritual director listed in the parish staff). Volunteer docents welcome pilgrims at Archbishop Sheen's tomb, while the diocesan-wide Respect Life Board (chaired by the outgoing rector, Fr. William Miller) connects the parish to diocesan pro-life work.
- St. Therese Home Schoolers (Catholic homeschool co-op)
- Hispanic Ministry (Fr. Thomas Gibson)
- CCD (Beatrice Nava)
- Music Ministry — Cathedral (Jon Kroepel)
- Music Ministry — Sacred Heart (Aria Main)
- Sophia's Kitchen — soup kitchen (Claire Crone / Sr. Salvacion Tusing)
- Wedding coordination (Georgette Williams)
- Cathedral Tours (Rhonda Bachman)
- Tomb volunteer docents
- Diocesan Respect Life Board (Fr. William Miller, chairman)
- Cursillo movement
Sacraments
Cathedral of St. Mary administers the full range of Catholic sacraments as part of the Heart of Peoria Catholic Community. Sunday and weekday Masses (see Mass Schedule), Reconciliation (Confession, see Confession Schedule), Marriage preparation through the Wedding Coordinator, Anointing of the Sick and funeral arrangements through the parish office, and Baptism/First Communion/Confirmation preparation through CCD.
- Eucharist (Mass)
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation (CCD program)
- Marriage preparation / Wedding Coordinator: Georgette Williams
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral arrangements: parish office (309) 673-6317
Visiting & Pilgrim Information
St. Mary's Cathedral welcomes daily visitors and pilgrims, especially those coming to venerate the tomb of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. The Sheen Tomb is in the Lady Chapel / Our Lady of Perpetual Help side altar; visitors enter via the handicap ramp in front of the Cathedral, where the railing is marked 'JMJ.' Regular hours are Monday–Friday 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; pilgrims may also pray at the tomb during Masses and special events. Cathedral Tours can be arranged through parish staff (Rhonda Bachman).
- Tomb open hours: Mon–Fri 12–2 p.m.; Sat 12–3 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Entrance: handicap ramp in front of the Cathedral, 'JMJ' railing
- Mass-time visits also permitted
- Cathedral Tours: Rhonda Bachman
- Tomb website: https://www.celebratesheen.com/tomb
Heart of Peoria Catholic Community (Linked Parishes)
Cathedral of St. Mary is the diocesan mother church of the Heart of Peoria Catholic Community, which unites four Peoria parishes: Sacred Heart (504 Fulton St.), St. Bernard (509 E. Kansas St.), St. Joseph (103 Richard Pryor Pl.), and the Cathedral itself. Mass, confession, and adoration schedules for the entire community are coordinated across these sites, with St. Mary's serving as the principal Sunday and weekday English- and Spanish-language venue, and Sacred Heart providing the additional weekday noon Mass and Friday Eucharistic Adoration host site (at the nearby Spalding Pastoral Center). Mission outreach includes Sophia's Kitchen (a soup kitchen at 105 N. Richard Pryor Place) and the Missionaries of Charity convent at 506 Hancock St.
- Sacred Heart Parish — 504 Fulton St., Peoria
- St. Bernard Parish — 509 E. Kansas St., Peoria (suppressed 2024)
- St. Joseph Parish — 103 Richard Pryor Pl., Peoria
- Sophia's Kitchen — 105 N. Richard Pryor Pl., Peoria
- Missionaries of Charity — 506 Hancock St., Peoria
- Spalding Pastoral Center — 419 NE Madison Ave., Peoria
Diocese of Peoria
St. Mary's Cathedral is the seat (mother church) of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, an Illinois diocese founded in 1877 and led today by the Most Rev. Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria. The diocesan offices (the Catholic Diocesan Chancery) are co-located near the cathedral on Madison Avenue in Peoria. The diocese's website, https://www.cdop.org, lists staff, parish assignments, diocesan history, and a diocesan-wide directory of priests. Notable sons of the diocese include Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen; other past bishops are commemorated in the cathedral's stained glass, reredos, and Bishop's House next door.
- Diocese founded: 1877
- Current Bishop: Most Rev. Louis Tylka
- Diocesan website: https://www.cdop.org
- Diocesan office address: on Madison Avenue, Peoria
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John A. Drew1846 (founding)
Founded St. Mary's Parish in 1846, predecessor to the cathedral.
- Bishop John Lancaster Spalding1877–1908
First Bishop of Peoria; purchased the cathedral site, broke ground (April 22, 1885), laid the cornerstone (June 28, 1885), and dedicated the new cathedral (May 15, 1889).
- Father William T. Miller2020–2026
Named rector of St. Mary's Cathedral and pastor of St. Bernard and Sacred Heart parishes in 2020; ordained a priest at St. Mary's Cathedral by Bishop Edward W. O'Rourke on May 12, 1984; reassigned as Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish (Kickapoo) effective July 2026.
- Monsignor Jason Gray, JCDeffective July 2026
Appointed Rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish (Peoria) effective July 2026; previously Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish (Peoria Heights).