About Cathedral of St. Patrick · Norwich, Connecticut
The Cathedral of St. Patrick is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich and the seat of its bishop, located on Broadway in Norwich, Connecticut. Built by Irish immigrant parishioners in the 1870s as a replacement for the overcrowded St. Mary's Church, it was dedicated on September 28, 1879, and elevated to cathedral status in 1953 when Pope Pius XII erected the Diocese of Norwich. Today the Gothic Revival limestone landmark still functions as an active parish, a center of diocesan liturgy and music, and a contributing property of the Chelsea Parade Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Anthony S. Rosaforte (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
The Cathedral of St. Patrick is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Norwich — the seat of the bishop, a place where ordinations and diocesan liturgies are regularly celebrated — yet it remains a down-to-earth parish where the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass is broadcast on local radio WICH 1310 AM for the homebound. A robust music ministry under Director of Music Michael Steven Lianos — including the Cathedral Choir, the handbell ensemble 'Bells of Saint Patrick,' the Norwich Diocesan Choir, and a Schola — anchors the liturgical life, while faith formation for children, the Transfigured Youth Group for middle and high schoolers, and a Monday-evening Miraculous Medal Novena Mass offer concrete ways for families and young adults to get involved.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Monday: 6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m.
Welcome & About the Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Patrick is the mother church of the Diocese of Norwich and the seat of its bishop, located on Broadway in the Chelsea Parade Historic District of Norwich, Connecticut. Built in the 1870s by Irish immigrant parishioners and dedicated on September 28, 1879, the Gothic Revival limestone church was elevated to cathedral status in 1953. The parish remains an active worshipping community, the regional center for diocesan liturgies, and the home of an unusually rich music and choral program.
- 213 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360
- Phone: (860) 889-8441
- Rector: Rev. Msgr. Anthony S. Rosaforte
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Julian Cuervo-Lozada
- Director of Music & Organist: Michael Steven Lianos
- Diocesan Bishop: Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy
Parish History
Catholic life in Norwich began in 1833 when the Diocese of Boston sent Fr. James Fitton to minister to Irish immigrants in the textile mills. After outgrowing St. Mary's (dedicated 1845), the parish built St. Patrick's on Broadway: Irish laborers reportedly hand-dug the foundation in a single day on Good Friday 1871, and parishioners funded the work with a 'ten cents a week' collection. The first Mass in the completed building was on St. Patrick's Day 1879; solemn dedication followed on September 28, 1879, and solemn consecration in 1911. In 1953, with the erection of the Diocese of Norwich, St. Patrick's became the Cathedral of St. Patrick.
- 1833 – Fr. James Fitton arrives in Norwich
- 1844 – First area Mass (Dec. 25)
- 1845 – St. Mary's Church dedicated
- 1871 (Good Friday) – Foundation hand-dug by Irish laborers
- 1873 – Cornerstone laid
- 1879 – Parish incorporated; first Mass in new church (St. Patrick's Day); church dedicated Sept. 28
- 1911 – Solemnly consecrated
- 1938 – Damaged in the New England Hurricane
- 1953 – Becomes Cathedral of St. Patrick when Diocese of Norwich is erected
- 2010–2013 – Major interior renovation and rededication
- 2024 (Sept. 28) – 145th anniversary; Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis
- 2025 (April 29) – Bishop Richard F. Reidy installed as 6th Bishop of Norwich at the cathedral
- 2026 (March) – Bell towers project begins
Architecture & Historic Designation
Designed in the Gothic Revival style by James Murphy of Providence, Rhode Island, and built of local limestone, the cathedral is anchored by a tall 216-foot central bell tower and twin spires. Its interior was restored to a richly polychromed appearance during the 2010–2013 renovation, which added new wall murals depicting scenes from the life of Christ, modernized the lighting and sound systems, and reworked the cathedra, ambo, and baptismal font. The complex — church, rectory, and former school — is a contributing property of the Chelsea Parade Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 1989.
- Architect: James Murphy (Providence, RI)
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Material: Limestone
- Central bell tower: 216 feet
- NRHP: Chelsea Parade Historic District, #88003215 (added May 12, 1989)
Sacraments
The Cathedral celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Couples marry in the cathedral under detailed Wedding Guidelines administered by the Director of Music (since the cathedral pipe organ and sanctuary are unique, the parish requires a six-month lead time for music planning). Families prepare for First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Baptism through the Faith Formation program; Anointing of the Sick and Funeral Masses are arranged through the rectory.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Matrimony (Wedding — 2023 Cathedral Wedding Guidelines on file)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral Mass
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation classes meet on Sunday mornings in the cathedral school building and resume each fall under the direction of Fr. Julian Cuervo-Lozada, with the assistance of catechist volunteers (all of whom must complete diocesan Safe Environments training and a background check). The parish also runs the Transfigured Youth Group, which gathers two Sundays a month from 6:00–8:15 p.m. in the Church Hall for middle- and high-school-aged youth, and is recruiting a team of young-adult leaders (ages 20–35) to mentor them.
- Faith Formation Classes — Sunday mornings, school building
- Transfigured Youth Group — two Sundays a month, 6:00–8:15 p.m.
- Contact: Fr. Julian Cuervo — (860) 889-8441
- Email: [email protected] (Faith Formation); [email protected] (Youth Group)
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music is a defining ministry of the Cathedral of St. Patrick. Director of Music and Organist Michael Steven Lianos directs the Cathedral Choir, the Bells of Saint Patrick handbell ensemble, the Schola, the Norwich Diocesan Choir, and the cathedral's carillon program, and curates both a Masterworks Library and an American Guild of Organists (AGO) Library. The Music Ministry hosts an annual Patriotic Sing-Along organ concert in early July, joins regional handbell festivals, and leads the Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols each December.
- Director of Music & Organist: Michael Steven Lianos
- Cathedral Choir
- Bells of Saint Patrick (handbell choir)
- Norwich Diocesan Choir
- Schola
- Cathedral Lectors
- Carillon program
- Masterworks Library and AGO Library
- Contact: [email protected] / 860-886-0403
Diocesan Role & Bishop
As the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich, the Cathedral of St. Patrick is the seat of the diocesan bishop. The current bishop, the Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy, was appointed by Pope Francis on February 12, 2025, and was consecrated and installed at the cathedral on April 29, 2025 — the sixth bishop of Norwich. Successive bishops have used the cathedral for ordinations, Chrism Masses, and the diocesan Good Friday service, which proceeds from Chelsea Parade down Broadway to a local Protestant church in an ecumenical prayer pilgrimage.
- Diocese: Norwich (erected 1953)
- Ecclesiastical Province: Archdiocese of Hartford
- 6th Bishop: Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy (2025–present)
- 5th Bishop (emeritus): Most Rev. Michael R. Côté (2003–2024)
- Earlier bishops of Norwich: Flanagan, Hines, Reilly, Hart
Outreach & Community
The Cathedral's mission statement commits the parish to 'putting the love of Christ into action' by providing spiritual nourishment, living the Gospel, reaching out to those in need, and extending Christ's love to all who come through its doors. The parish supports faith-formation volunteers and youth mentors, maintains a Safe Environments program for the protection of children, and welcomes visiting pilgrims, school groups, and walkers exploring the Chelsea Parade Historic District.
- Faith Formation catechist recruitment
- Transfigured Youth Group adult-leader team (ages 20–35)
- Safe Environments training and background checks for all child/youth volunteers
- Ecumenical Good Friday Way of the Cross through Chelsea Parade
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Fitton1833–c.1879
Founding missionary priest sent by the Diocese of Boston to serve Irish immigrants in Norwich; celebrated the first Mass in Norwich (in a loft, 12 people); built St. Mary's (dedicated 1845) and initiated plans for the new St. Patrick's Church. Died before the new church's completion in 1879.
- Rev. Daniel Mullin (Mullen)1860s–1879+
Pastor of St. Mary's; Civil War chaplain; purchased the Broadway site, engaged architect James Murphy, and oversaw the construction of St. Patrick's, including the famous '10 cents a week' fundraising plan. Completed the project after Fr. Fitton's death.
- Rev. Fr. Shahan1879
Said the first Mass on the temporary altar in the completed church on St. Patrick's Day, 1879 (per cathedral plaque).