About Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart · Houston, Texas
The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic cathedral in downtown Houston, Texas, serving as one of two cathedrals of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (alongside St. Mary Cathedral Basilica in Galveston). Established as Sacred Heart Parish on November 22, 1896, by Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher, it was elevated to Co-Cathedral status in 1959 when Pope John XXIII designated Houston an episcopal city and renamed the Diocese of Galveston to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. The current cathedral, dedicated on April 2, 2008, was designed by Ziegler Cooper Architects in a simplified Italian Romanesque style and seats 1,820 people. Located at 1111 St. Joseph Parkway, the Co-Cathedral serves downtown Houston, midtown, and visitors from around the world with Masses celebrated in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Jeffrey Bame
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
The Co-Cathedral welcomes parishioners, downtown and midtown residents, and travelers with Masses celebrated in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, making it one of the most linguistically accessible Catholic churches in downtown Houston. As one of only two cathedrals of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, it offers daily and weekend Masses, extensive confession times, perpetual adoration hours, First Friday devotions, and a full faith formation program for all ages staffed by dedicated coordinators. The parish is also a hub for Archdiocesan activity, with active ministries including lectors, EMHCs, altar servers, greeters/ushers, sacristans, live-stream teams, and music ministry—plenty of ways to belong and serve in the heart of Houston.
Mass times at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:15-8:45 AM, 10:15-10:45 AM, 12:15-12:45 PM, 4:30-5:15 PM
- Monday-Friday: 11:30 AM-12:00 PM
- Tuesday-Thursday: 6:30-6:50 AM
- Saturday: 3:30-4:45 PM
- Confession is available for at least 30 minutes prior to each Mass and ends 10 minutes before Mass begins
Adoration times
- Monday: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:30 AM-2:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:30 AM-6:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:30 AM-6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:30 AM-7:00 PM
- First Thursday: Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction (begins with the conclusion of the 12:10 PM Mass)
Welcome and Parish Identity
The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is a parish of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston located in the heart of downtown Houston. In addition to being a cathedral and a hub for Archdiocesan activity, it serves the people of downtown Houston, midtown, and visitors and travelers from all over. By the grace of baptism, parishioners belong to the Body of Christ and are built up as a family through the Body and Blood of Christ—both mystically and institutionally as members of this parish family.
- Located in downtown Houston at 1111 St. Joseph Parkway
- One of two cathedrals of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
- Welcomes downtown residents, midtown residents, and travelers
Get Involved / Ministries
One of the best ways to become part of the Co-Cathedral is to get involved in one of its ministries. There are opportunities for youth and adults to strengthen their faith, connect with others in fellowship activities, and care for others. Volunteers can sign up online and indicate preferred Mass time and area of service.
- Greeter/Usher
- Lector
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Altar Server
- Sacristan
- Live-Stream
- Music
Faith Formation
The Co-Cathedral embraces a philosophy of 'life-long catechesis,' following Pope Paul VI's apostolic exhortation On Evangelization in the Modern World. Catechesis begins with the Sacraments of Initiation and continues from infancy through adulthood, equipping confirmed Catholics to be missionary evangelists of Christ in the world.
- Coordinator of Faith Formation: Carmen Benitez ([email protected])
- Faith Formation Assistant: Faby Lopez ([email protected])
- Programs for children, youth, and adults
History of the Co-Cathedral
Sacred Heart Parish was founded in 1896 as Houston's fourth Catholic parish. After decades of growth, mid-century renovations under Monsignor Rapp, and a 1959 elevation to Co-Cathedral status, the parish outgrew its 1912 church. A new cathedral was commissioned in 2002, designed by Ziegler Cooper with a 500-year design horizon, and dedicated in 2008 by Cardinal DiNardo.
- 1896: Parish established by Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher
- 1897: First small church dedicated
- 1912: Lorehn-designed Gothic church dedicated (seated 800)
- 1953: First central air conditioning installed under Monsignor Rapp
- 1959: Elevated to Co-Cathedral by Pope John XXIII
- 1990: Major interior renovation and rededication
- 2002: Ziegler Cooper commissioned to design new cathedral
- 2008: New Co-Cathedral dedicated on April 2
Architecture and Art
Ziegler Cooper merged modern clean lines with the Italian Romanesque style and neo-Gothic tributes. The cruciform building seats 1,820 (with room for 200 more), clad in Indiana Limestone with 30,000 sq ft of marble, gold leaf, and copper. Materials were chosen for endurance across centuries.
- 108 stained glass panels/windows by Mellini Art Glass and Mosaics (Florence, Italy)
- 117-foot dome with 8-foot Holy Spirit oculus, copper-clad with gilded crucifix
- 140-foot bell tower
- Martin Pasi Opus 19 organ (dedicated 2010)
Clergy and Staff
The Co-Cathedral is led by Pastor and Rector Rev. Jeffrey Bame, supported by parochial vicars and a dedicated faith formation team. The parish office can be reached at (713) 659-1561 or [email protected].
- Rev. Jeffrey Bame – Pastor and Rector
- Rev. Anthony C. Ekanem, MSP – Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Joseph Loc Dinh Phan – Parochial Vicar
- Carmen Benitez – Coordinator of Faith Formation
- Faby Lopez – Faith Formation Assistant
Visit and Contact
Free parking is available on-site, and the parish publishes a primary parking location on its website with directions. The Co-Cathedral is open for personal prayer during posted adoration hours. Travelers and visitors are warmly welcomed at any Mass.
- Address: 1111 St. Joseph Parkway, Houston, TX 77002
- Phone: (713) 659-1561
- Fax: (713) 651-1365
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.sacredhearthouston.org
- Free parking on-site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher1896-1918
Third Bishop of Galveston; founded the parish and dedicated both the first (1897) and second (1912) churches.
- Monsignor Jerome A. Rappfifth pastor (early 1950s era)
Fifth pastor; installed first central air conditioning (1953), acquired many statues, oversaw full redecoration, acquired the property at Fannin and Calhoun (1954).
- Monsignor Roachpost-1964
Oversaw exterior refurbishment, sacristy enlargement, side door addition, and 1964 interior remodeling with wood panels.
- Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza1984-2006
Presided over the 1990 rededication after major renovation; commissioned Ziegler Cooper in 2002 to design new cathedral; first Archbishop when diocese elevated in 2004.
