About Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe · Dallas, Texas
The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Catedral Santuario de Guadalupe), also known as the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is the cathedral church of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, Texas. Located at 2215 Ross Avenue in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, this Gothic Revival red-brick and limestone church was built in 1898–1902 to designs by Nicholas J. Clayton, the preeminent Victorian architect of 19th-century Texas. Originally dedicated as the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in 1902, it was renamed in 1977 after merging with the nearby Our Lady of Guadalupe parish (established 1914 for Mexican immigrants), and in 2023 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops elevated it to a National Shrine. With an average Sunday attendance of around 11,200, it is one of the largest Catholic parishes in the United States and a major pilgrimage site, drawing more than 30,000 faithful to its annual Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration each December 12.
- Established
- 1869 (Sacred Heart parish); cathedral building completed 1902; renamed Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12, 1977; designated National Shrine September 2023.
- Patron
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (patroness of the Americas)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jesús Belmontes (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas (Catholic Diocese of Dallas)
Why belong here
The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe is the spiritual heart of Dallas's Hispanic Catholic community and one of the largest parishes in the United States, with six Sunday Masses offered in English and Spanish. It carries a deep devotional identity rooted in the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego in 1531, drawing more than 30,000 pilgrims each December for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. With about 20 active ministries — including English and Spanish lectors and Eucharistic ministers, English-language ministries, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Matlachines, Movimiento de Cursillos, Nocturnal Adoration, youth and young adult groups, religious education, RCIA, marriage and quinceañera preparation, and pro-life/defensa de la fe — it offers a place for almost any Catholic to serve, worship, and grow in faith. As a National Shrine in downtown Dallas, it combines the beauty of a Clayton-designed Gothic Revival sanctuary with a vibrant bilingual worshipping community and a centuries-old pilgrimage tradition.
Mass times at Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 11:30 AM – 11:55 AM (before noon English Mass)
- Monday – Friday: 6:30 PM – 6:55 PM (before 7:00 PM Spanish Mass)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration / Holy Hour every Thursday after the 7:00 PM Spanish Mass (Adoración Eucarística / Hora Santa cada Jueves después de Misa de 7:00 PM en Español)
- Nocturnal Adoration (Adoración Nocturna) — contact: Jorge Martinez, 469-463-5269
About the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Located at 2215 Ross Avenue in downtown Dallas's Arts District, the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Catedral Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) is the cathedral church of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas and one of the largest Catholic parishes in the United States, with roughly 11,200 in average Sunday attendance. Built in 1898–1902 in Gothic Revival style to designs by Nicholas J. Clayton — the premier architect of 19th-century Texas — the red brick and limestone church was originally dedicated as the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in 1902, renamed Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe on December 12, 1977, and elevated to a National Shrine by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in September 2023. The Diocese of Dallas is led by Most Rev. Edward J. Burns, with Most Rev. Gregory Kelly serving as Auxiliary Bishop; the Cathedral is pastored by Very Rev. Jesús Belmontes (Rector), with Father Adam Musielak and Father Oscar Mora as Vicars and Deacons Roberto Álvarez, Chris Volkmer, and Chase Ramsey assisting.
- Address: 2215 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201
- Phone: (214) 871-1362 | Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed Saturday/Sunday)
- Average Sunday attendance: ~11,200 (one of the largest Catholic parishes in the U.S.)
- Average annual December 12 feast attendance: 30,000+ pilgrims
History of the Cathedral
The parish traces to 1869, when the Bishop of Galveston established Sacred Heart Church in Dallas — the city's first Catholic parish. A frame church was built in 1872 at Bryan and Ervay Streets (now the central post office site). When Dallas became a diocese in 1890, Sacred Heart was chosen as the cathedral and Bishop Thomas Brennan became the first bishop. The parish soon outgrew the original church, and the present building was begun in 1898 under Father Jeffrey A. Hartnett, who died of smallpox contracted while ministering to victims in 1899. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart was dedicated October 26, 1902 by Bishop Edward Dunne. Nicholas J. Clayton was confirmed as architect only in 1989, when his original drawings were found in a Galveston library. In 1977 the cathedral was renamed after merging with the nearby Our Lady of Guadalupe parish (founded 1914 for Mexican immigrants), and in 2023 it was elevated to a National Shrine.
- 1869 — Sacred Heart parish established in Dallas
- 1872 — First church built at Bryan & Ervay Streets by Rev. M. Perrier
- 1890 — Diocese of Dallas created; Sacred Heart named cathedral; Bishop Thomas Brennan first bishop
- 1898 (June 17) — Cornerstone laid at Ross & Pearl; Father Jeffrey A. Hartnett pastor
- 1899 — Father Hartnett dies in the smallpox epidemic — 'martyr to duty'
- 1902 (Oct 26) — Cathedral of the Sacred Heart dedicated by Bishop Edward Dunne
- 1914 — Our Lady of Guadalupe parish founded on Harwood Street for Mexican immigrants
- 1975 — Old Guadalupe church on Harwood closes after merger
- 1977 (Dec 12) — Renamed Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- 1989 — Nicholas J. Clayton confirmed as architect (drawings found in Galveston)
- 2023 (Sept) — Elevated to National Shrine by the USCCB at the initiative of Bishop Edward J. Burns
Architecture & Recent Renovation
Designed by Nicholas J. Clayton in Gothic Revival style and constructed of red brick and limestone with many beautiful stained-glass windows, the cathedral is one of Clayton's signature works. A multi-phase renovation by Architexas restored the historic interior — recovering wood-beamed ceilings and period stenciling in the coffers that had been over-painted in earlier renovations — and introduced a new chancel with Italian Carrara marble furnishings in a Gothic Revival-inspired style that incorporates Mexican American worship traditions. A new $20 million bell tower and steeple housing a 49-bell carillon finally realizes Clayton's never-built original tower design.
- Architect: Nicholas J. Clayton (premier 19th-century Texas architect)
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Materials: Red brick, limestone, stained glass
- Renovation architect: Architexas
- New chancel: Italian Carrara marble furnishings, Gothic Revival-inspired
- New bell tower: $20 million; 49-bell carillon; interprets Clayton's unbuilt original
- Recovered: wood-beamed ceilings, period stenciling in the coffers
Devotions & Special Celebrations
The Cathedral's devotional life centers on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Tens of thousands of pilgrims — many traveling from Mexico, Latin America, and across the United States — gather between December 4 and 12 each year for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the largest annual event in the diocese. Other devotions include the Cenáculo de la Divina Misericordia (Divine Mercy Cenacle), Adoración Nocturna (Nocturnal Adoration), Asociación Guadalupana, Legión de María, and the Matlachines traditional Aztec dance ministry, all of which give the Cathedral a distinctive Marian and Mexican-American devotional character.
- Annual Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12 — 30,000+ pilgrims
- Asociación Guadalupana — Olga Ruiz, 214-518-3117
- Cenáculo de la Divina Misericordia — Francis Aguado, 214-404-3434
- Adoración Nocturna — Jorge Martinez, 469-463-5269
- Legión de María (Presidium Emperatriz de las Américas) — Rosaura Estrada, 469-708-4089
- Matlachines (traditional Aztec dance) — Araceli Martinez, 214-715-2248
Sacraments
The Cathedral prepares and celebrates all the major Catholic sacraments in both English and Spanish, including Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Quinceañeras, and the Anointing of the Sick. Funeral and memorial Masses are coordinated through the parish office. Adults seeking to become Catholic are welcomed through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) / RICA process.
- Baptisms / Bautizos — Edith Flores, 469-329-6222
- Sacramental Records & Quinceañeras — Edith Flores, 469-329-6222
- Marriage / Matrimonios — María del Rosario Ruiz (469-329-6232); Wedding Rehearsal/Liturgy Daniel Sanchez (214-216-2365)
- RCIA / RICA — Alex Adams, 469-329-6220
- Religious Education — Imelda Ramirez, 469-329-6223
- Funeral & Memorial Masses — María del Rosario Ruiz and Olga Jasso
- Reconciliation — Mon–Fri 11:30–11:55 AM and 6:30–6:55 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at the Cathedral is bilingual and family-oriented, with religious education classes for children, the RCIA process for adults, and ongoing sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, marriage, and quinceañeras. The parish offers regular formation through its 20+ active ministries and groups, many of which include catechetical components.
- Director of Religious Education — Imelda Ramirez, 469-329-6223
- RCIA / RICA Coordinator — Alex Adams, 469-329-6220
- Marriage Ministry — María del Rosario Ruiz (Director); Olga Jasso (Assistant); Daniel Sanchez (Rehearsal/Liturgy)
Ministries & Parish Groups
With about 20 active ministries, the Cathedral offers a wide range of ways to serve and grow in faith — including liturgical ministries (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, choirs), outreach (pro-life, communion to the sick, Shalom addictions support, limpieza/cleaning), community groups (couples, seniors, youth, Matlachines, Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Movimiento de Cursillos), and devotional groups (Divine Mercy Cenacle, Nocturnal Adoration, Asociación Guadalupana). Ministries are organized in parallel Spanish- and English-language tracks so that parishioners of both communities can serve.
- Liturgical: Lectors (English & Spanish), Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Coro Catedral, Coro de Niños
- Outreach: Communion to the Sick, Pro-Life/Respect Life, Ministerio de Limpieza, Shalom addictions group
- Community: Grupo de Parejas 'Nosotros 2, Somos 3', Grupo de Mayores, Grupo de Jóvenes (Renovación Juvenil Catedral), Knights of Columbus
- Devotional: Cenáculo de la Divina Misericordia, Adoración Nocturna, Asociación Guadalupana, Legión de María, Defensa de la Fe, Movimiento de Cursillos
- Cultural: Matlachines (Aztec dance), El Sembrador
Music Ministry
Music at the Cathedral is central to its bilingual liturgical life. The Coro Catedral and Coro de Niños lead sung worship for the Spanish-language Masses, while organists provide music for English weddings and other liturgies. The Director of Music Ministry coordinates choirs, organists, cantors, and the parish's online worship presence.
- Music Director — Cesar Anguiano, 469-329-6261
- Coro Catedral — Cesar Anguiano, 214-440-7888
- Coro de Niños — Jesus Martinez, 972-310-4834
- Organist (Spanish) — Juan Medrano, 214-883-6386 (also Webmaster/Social Media)
- Organist (English weddings) — Chase Ramsey, 214-213-7483
Staff & Clergy
The Cathedral is led by its Rector, Very Rev. Jesús Belmontes, assisted by Vicars Father Adam Musielak and Father Oscar Mora, Permanent Deacons Roberto Álvarez, Chris Volkmer, and Chase Ramsey, and a substantial lay staff overseeing religious education, marriage preparation, music, the gift shop, safe environment, business administration, and front-office reception.
- Rector — Fr. Jesús Belmontes, [email protected], 469-329-6224
- Vicar — Fr. Adam Musielak, [email protected], 469-329-6230
- Vicar — Fr. Oscar Mora, [email protected], 214-216-2352
- Deacon Roberto Álvarez, [email protected], 214-871-1362
- Deacon Chris Volkmer, [email protected], 214-871-1362
- Deacon Chase Ramsey, [email protected], 214-213-7483
- Director of Religious Education — Imelda Ramirez, 469-329-6223
- RCIA Coordinator — Alex Adams, 469-329-6220
- Director of Marriage Ministry — María del Rosario Ruiz, 469-329-6232
- Director of Business Administration — Heriberto Haros, 469-329-6252
- Director of Safe Environment — Silvia Puente, 469-329-6238
- Gift Shop — Gloria Martínez, 469-329-6262
- Front Office Manager — Edith Flores, 469-329-6222
- Bishop of Dallas — Most Rev. Edward J. Burns, DD
- Auxiliary Bishop — Most Rev. Gregory Kelly, DD
Gift Shop (Tiendita)
The Cathedral's on-site Gift Shop / Tiendita offers religious articles, books, and sacramental gifts. It is a convenient stop for visitors, parish regulars, and those preparing for baptisms, first communions, quinceañeras, and weddings.
- Manager — Gloria Martínez, 469-329-6262, [email protected]
- Sunday: 9:00–9:45 AM and 11:15 AM–6:45 PM
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM–6:45 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
- Friday: 9:30 AM–6:45 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. M. Perrier1872–1873
Built Dallas's first Catholic church, Sacred Heart, in 1872 at Bryan and Ervay Streets.
- Rev. Joseph Martiniere1873–
Succeeded Father Perrier; completed the interior, built the rectory, and invited the Ursuline nuns from Galveston to open the parish school.
- Father Jeffrey A. Hartnett
Pastor during construction of the Cathedral; cornerstone laid under his leadership June 17, 1898. Died 1899 in the smallpox epidemic after ministering to the sick — a 'martyr to duty.'
- Bishop Thomas Brennan1890–
First Bishop of Dallas (1890); Sacred Heart designated as the diocesan cathedral.
- Bishop Edward Dunne
Formally dedicated the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on October 26, 1902.
- Bishop Thomas Tschoepe
Invited the Our Lady of Guadalupe parish to merge with Sacred Heart; led the 1975 closing of the old Guadalupe church on Harwood Street.
- Bishop Edward J. Burns
Eighth Bishop of Dallas; initiated the effort that led to the cathedral's 2023 designation as a National Shrine.
- Very Rev. Jesús Belmontes2023–present
Current Rector; previously led San Juan Diego Catholic Parish; native of Mexico, ordained in the Diocese of Dallas in 2004.
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