About Cathedral of St. Michael · Springfield, Massachusetts
The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel (also called St. Michael's Cathedral) is the mother church and seat (cathedra) of the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts, located at 254 State Street in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. Completed in 1861 from designs by Brooklyn architect Patrick Keely, the brick Italianate/Federal-style church became a cathedral when Pope Pius IX erected the Diocese of Springfield in 1870. The parish operates in both English and Spanish, serves as the ceremonial and pastoral home of the diocese under Bishop William D. Byrne, and is recognized as a contributing property of the Quadrangle–Mattoon Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Established
- 1847
- Patron
- Saint Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Very Rev. Gary M. Dailey (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
St. Michael's Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Springfield — a historic downtown parish where the bishop's cathedra stands and where the diocesan community gathers for ordinations, Chrism Mass, and major liturgical celebrations. It offers a notably welcoming and diverse community, with Masses in both English and Spanish, weekly confession, a robust Religious Education program under Director Ashley Duplessis, and a professional Cathedral Choir directed by the Director of Music. As a designated Jubilee Church for both 2016 and 2025, it welcomes pilgrims alongside regular parishioners, making it an ideal spiritual home for anyone seeking a cathedral-parish experience with deep roots and an inclusive, multicultural character.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 p.m. (before Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
About the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael's Cathedral is the chief church of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts and the bishop's own parish, where the cathedra (bishop's chair) stands and from which the ordinary teaches, sanctifies, and governs the local Church. The parish describes itself as 'a welcoming, diverse community which embodies the mission of Christ who strengthens us by the sacraments,' guided and protected by its patron, Saint Michael the Archangel. As both a downtown parish and the spiritual home of the diocese, it serves a regular congregation as well as the wider Catholic community through major diocesan liturgies and pilgrimages.
- Patron: Saint Michael the Archangel
- Diocese: Springfield in Massachusetts
- Bishop: Most Rev. William D. Byrne
- Rector: Very Rev. Gary M. Dailey
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Sinh Trinh
History of the Cathedral
The parish began in 1847 as St. Benedict's, housed in a former Baptist meeting house. Under Fr. Michael P. Gallagher (pastor from 1852), the congregation outgrew its wooden church; he purchased a State Street lot, and the cornerstone of the new church was laid in 1860 and dedicated in 1861. With the erection of the Diocese of Springfield in 1870, St. Michael's became the cathedral. The Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in 1881, opened the largest Catholic grammar school in New England, and launched Cathedral High School in 1884.
- 1847 — Parish founded as St. Benedict's in a former Baptist church
- 1852 — Fr. Michael P. Gallagher assigned as pastor
- 1860 — Cornerstone laid for the new State Street church
- 1861 — St. Michael's Church dedicated
- 1870 — Erected as cathedral of the new Diocese of Springfield
- 1881 — Sisters of St. Joseph arrive; grammar school opens
- 1883 — Sisters' convent built adjacent to the school
- 1884 — Cathedral High School opens above the sanctuary
- 1899 — SSJ motherhouse established on cathedral grounds
- 1974 — Cathedral and rectory listed on National Register of Historic Places
- 1997 — Major renovation; Bishop Marshall Center added
Architecture and Notable Features
Built in brick in an Italianate/Federal style to designs by Brooklyn architect Patrick Charles Keely, the cathedral features the 120-foot Knight's Tower topped by an illuminated statue of St. Michael the Archangel. Inside, visitors can see the historic Hooper Bell, made by a son-in-law of silversmith Paul Revere, and the Cloister Gallery in the Bishop Marshall Center, which preserves stained-glass windows from the former Holy Family Church, Springfield.
- Architect: Patrick Charles Keely (Brooklyn)
- Style: Italianate / Federal
- Materials: Brick
- Knight's Tower: 120 feet, crowned with illuminated St. Michael statue
- Hooper Bell (Paul Revere silversmith family connection)
- Cloister Gallery with Holy Family Church stained glass
The Bishop Marshall Center
Completed as part of the 1996–1997 renovation, the Bishop Marshall Center extends the rear of the cathedral (lengthening it from 215 to 305 feet) and houses multiple diocesan and parish functions. It includes the Holy Spirit Chapel, a meeting room, Catholic Communications' control room, the choir room, and St. Augustine's Chapel — which serves as the mortuary chapel for deceased bishops of the diocese. The center is fully handicapped accessible from the parking lot.
- Holy Spirit Chapel
- St. Augustine's Chapel (mortuary chapel for deceased diocesan bishops)
- Cloister Gallery with rescued stained glass
- Catholic Communications control room
- Choir room
- Meeting room / parish and diocesan hall (available for reservation)
Parish Staff and Clergy
The cathedral parish is led by a rector appointed by the Bishop of Springfield, supported by a parochial vicar, a Director of Religious Education, a Director of Music who leads the Cathedral Choir, and administrative staff.
- Bishop: Most Rev. William D. Byrne
- Rector: Very Rev. Gary M. Dailey
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Sinh Trinh
- Director of Religious Education: Ashley Duplessis
- Director of Music / Cathedral Choir
- Administrative Assistant (parish office)
Ministries and Faith Formation
St. Michael's supports a bilingual, multicultural parish life. Faith formation for children is coordinated by the Director of Religious Education; the Cathedral Choir enriches the liturgical life of both the parish and diocese; Spanish-speaking ministry is supported by a weekly Sunday Mass en Español; and Catholic Communications operates from the Marshall Center to support the diocese's media outreach.
- Religious Education (children and families)
- Cathedral Choir and Music ministry
- Spanish-language pastoral ministry (Misa dominical en Español)
- Catholic Communications (Diocese of Springfield)
- Parish and diocesan hall rental for groups
Visiting the Cathedral
Located in downtown Springfield, the cathedral is open for worship and welcomes visitors and pilgrims. As a designated Jubilee Church (2016 and 2025), it draws pilgrims from across western Massachusetts and beyond.
- Address: 254 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103
- Phone: (413) 781-3656
- Email: [email protected]
- Parking: behind the Cathedral off Elliot Street; handicapped spaces in lot and on State Street
- Accessible entrance: off the rear parking lot
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Michael P. Gallagher1852–1869
Assigned by the Archdiocese of Boston as pastor of St. Benedict's in 1852; purchased the State Street lot and built the original St. Michael's Church (1860–1861); buried at the church entrance after his death in 1869.