About Holy Name Cathedral (Historic Church) · Chicago, Illinois
Holy Name Cathedral is the cathedral (mother church) of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and an active downtown parish serving thousands of weekly visitors and parishioners. Located on the northeast corner of State and Superior Streets in Chicago's Near North Side / River North neighborhood, it was founded in 1849 and rebuilt as a Gothic Revival cathedral designed by Brooklyn architect Patrick Charles Keely after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed the original church. Its pastor is Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, and its day-to-day rector is the Very Rev. Gregory Sakowicz. The cathedral is renowned for its music program (Schola Cantorum, Cathedral Singers), its 23,000-piece wooden ceiling, and its service to the urban poor, migrants and young adults of Chicago.
- Established
- 1849
- Patron
- The Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Blase Cardinal J. Cupich (Archbishop of Chicago)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
Why belong here
Holy Name Cathedral is the Mother Church of Chicago Catholics — a downtown parish that combines the beauty of a historic Gothic Revival cathedral with a vigorous 21st-century pastoral and outreach ministry. Visitors and parishioners are drawn by its daily and Sunday Masses with celebrated music (the Schola Cantorum, whose members sing with the Chicago Symphony Chorus and Lyric Opera), its service to those on the margins through Mother Cabrini Immigration Ministries, Chicago Shares, and Ministry of Care, its Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–40) with pilgrimage and mission trips, lively Filipino and Simbang Gabi devotions, and formation for adults and children. As a self-funded parish that does not receive Archdiocesan subsidy, every member's stewardship directly sustains this work at the heart of Chicago.
Mass times at Holy Name Cathedral (Historic Church)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Every Saturday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (lower level of the Cathedral)
- Communal Reconciliation Services twice a year during Advent and Lent (e.g., Lenten Communal Penance Service 2026: Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 PM)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays, 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Monthly Holy Hour – Praying for Vocations: second Wednesday of each month (e.g., Nov. 12, 2025 and Feb. 11, 2026), following the 5:15 PM Mass (Rosary 6:30 PM, Eucharistic Adoration with Taizé 7:00–8:00 PM, dinner 8:00–9:00 PM)
History of the Cathedral
Holy Name Parish was founded on November 18, 1849, by Bishop James Oliver Van de Velde, SJ, in a small wooden-frame church at the northeast corner of State Street between Superior and Huron. Successive pastors built successively larger churches — a wooden church (1851), a brick church that became a 'de facto Cathedral' (1850s), and finally the Gothic Revival cathedral designed by Brooklyn architect Patrick Charles Keely and dedicated on November 21, 1875, at a cost of $260,000 after the Great Chicago Fire destroyed everything on October 8–9, 1871. Through the twentieth century the cathedral hosted the funerals of Cardinal George Mundelein (1939, with over a million mourners) and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin (1996), the opening Mass of the 28th International Eucharistic Congress (1926), and Pope John Paul II's October 1979 visit — the first by a pope — featuring concerts by Luciano Pavarotti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The cathedral survived a 2008 ceiling collapse and a 2009 attic fire; both events led to major restorations. In November 2024 the parish began a year-long 175th-anniversary celebration with the 'Faith in Action' theme.
- Nov. 18, 1849 — Parish founded
- Oct. 8–9, 1871 — Great Chicago Fire destroys the brick church
- Feb. 1874 — Architect Patrick Charles Keely hired
- July 19, 1874 — Cornerstone laid
- Nov. 21, 1875 — Cathedral dedicated ($260,000)
- 1926 — 28th International Eucharistic Congress opening Mass
- 1939 — Cardinal Mundelein lies in state
- 1979 — Pope John Paul II visits
- 1996 — Cardinal Bernardin lies in state
- Feb. 2008 — Ceiling collapse and seven-month closure
- Feb. 2009 — Attic fire
- 2024–2025 — 175th anniversary celebration
Pastor & Archdiocese
Holy Name Cathedral is one of only a handful of cathedrals in the United States that serves as both an active parish and the episcopal seat (mother church) of a major archdiocese. Its pastor is the Archbishop of Chicago (currently Cardinal Blase J. Cupich); day-to-day stewardship is the responsibility of the Rector (currently the Very Rev. Gregory Sakowicz). The Archbishop's office is not located at the cathedral itself, but the archbishop functions liturgically as pastor.
Architecture & Furnishings
Designed by Patrick Charles Keely (Brooklyn) in 1874 and dedicated in 1875, Holy Name Cathedral is built in the Gothic Revival style of stone tracery, pointed arches and a tall asymmetrical plan. Its principal exterior and interior features — the bronze-and-glass Tree-of-Life vestibule doors by sculptor Albert J. Friscia, the suspended Resurrection Crucifix by Italian sculptor Ivo Demetz, the bronze Stations of the Cross by Goffredo Verginelli in red Rocco Alicante marble, and Attilio Selva's bronze sanctuary panels of the Holy Name — tie every detail to the cathedral's overarching 'Tree of Life' decorative theme.
- Architect: Patrick Charles Keely
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Length: ~233 feet; Width: 126 feet; Ceiling: 70 feet; Spire: 210 feet
- Capacity: ~1,100 worshipers
- Bronze vestibule doors by Albert J. Friscia (1,200 lb each, hydraulic)
- Resurrection Crucifix by Ivo Demetz (suspended in nave)
- Stations of the Cross by Goffredo Verginelli
- Sanctuary panels by Attilio Selva
- 23,000-piece wooden ceiling restored 2008
- Six-ton granite altar (post-1969 Vatican II renovation)
Mass & Worship Schedule
Holy Name Cathedral offers a robust daily and weekly Mass schedule. Weekday Masses are celebrated Monday–Friday at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM, with an additional 5:15 PM Mass on Wednesday evenings; Saturday morning Mass is at 8:00 AM and the Vigil Mass at 5:15 PM. Five Sunday Masses are offered: 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 (livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook), 12:30, and 5:15 PM (the Young Adult designated Mass). The 12:00 PM weekday Mass is also livestreamed. A pre-recorded Sunday Mass with Cardinal Cupich airs at 9:30 AM Central on ABC7 (Channel 7).
- Weekday: Mon–Fri 7:00, 8:00, 12:00; Wed eve 5:15
- Saturday: 8:00 AM and 5:15 PM Vigil
- Sunday: 7:00, 8:30, 10:30, 12:30, 5:15 PM
- Livestreamed: 12:00 PM weekday and 10:30 AM Sunday
- Cardinal Cupich televised Mass, 9:30 AM Sundays on ABC7
Sacraments
Holy Name Cathedral prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments for parishioners, with detailed procedures, schedules and contacts posted on its website.
- Baptism — second and fourth Sundays at 2, 3 and 4 PM
- Reconciliation — every Saturday 8:00–11:00 AM
- Eucharist — daily and Sunday Mass schedule
- Confirmation / First Communion — Children's Faith Formation
- Marriage — Fri 2:30 and 4 PM; Sat 11, 1:30, 3:30 PM; Cathedral offering $3,200; PreCana required
- Anointing of the Sick — on request via Ministry of Care
- Holy Orders / Vocations — Monthly Holy Hour
- OCIA — year-round Becoming Catholic process
- Sacramental Records — $10 fee, ~14 day processing
Marriage and Weddings
Weddings at Holy Name Cathedral are celebrated on Fridays (2:30 PM and 4:00 PM) and Saturdays (11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM). The cathedral offering is $3,200, which includes use of the church, coordination, paperwork and the required cathedral musicians. PreCana marriage preparation is required through the Archdiocese of Chicago. Couples must be registered parishioners or obtain delegation; destination wedding preparation is also handled by the parish.
- Friday: 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM
- Cathedral offering $3,200 (includes musicians)
- PreCana required (Archdiocese of Chicago)
- Contact: JoAnn O'Brien — (312) 573-4401
Baptism
Infant baptism is celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 PM. A Baptism Preparation Class is required for first-time parents and strongly recommended for godparents. The suggested donation is $100; a $50 fee applies for parents or godparents from other parishes who wish to attend the class. A godparent must be at least 16, have received the Sacraments of Initiation, and be a practicing Catholic; one Catholic godparent is required, with a non-Catholic Christian serving as a Christian Witness.
- Second and fourth Sundays, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 PM
- Preparation Class required for first-time parents
- Suggested donation $100
- Sacramental Registrar: Martha Welter — (312) 573-4409
Music Ministries
The Music Ministry, led by Director of Music & Organist David C. Jonies and Associate Director Elizabeth 'Liz' Vasiljevic, is one of the most distinguished Catholic sacred-music programs in Chicago. Its professional Schola Cantorum provides the sung ordinary and proper at the 10:30 and 12:30 AM Sunday Masses; many members also sing with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Grant Park Festival chorus. Volunteer ensembles include the Cathedral Singers (12:30 PM Sunday, alternate Sundays with the Schola), the all-female Women's Schola (5:15 PM Saturday vigil, alternate Saturdays), and the Cathedral Filipino Singers (5:15 PM Saturday, monthly, in Tagalog). The Young Adult Music Ensemble animates the 5:15 PM Sunday Young Adult Mass.
- Schola Cantorum (professional)
- Cathedral Singers (12:30 PM Sunday)
- Women's Schola (5:15 PM Saturday alternate)
- Cathedral Filipino Singers (Simbang Gabi / Santo Niño, Tagalog)
- Young Adult Music Ensemble (5:15 PM Sunday)
- Director: David C. Jonies; Associate: Elizabeth Vasiljevic
Service Ministries — Homelessness, Hunger & Sharing
Inspired by Matthew 25, Holy Name operates year-round service ministries focused on the effects of homelessness and the needs of newly arrived migrants. Highlights include Chicago Shares (a $1 food-voucher program for Jewel-Osco, founded by the parish in 1993); the Ministry of Care, which sends trained lay ministers to bring Holy Communion to the homebound and hospitalized; the Loaves and Fishes pantry; and Cabrini/Mother Cabrini Immigration Ministries supporting Spanish-speaking immigrants.
- Chicago Shares (Jewel-Osco food vouchers; sold third Sunday monthly)
- Ministry of Care (communion visits to the sick and homebound)
- Food delivery to migrant families (drivers needed)
- Loaves and Fishes ministry
Cabrini / Immigration Ministries
Inspired by St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants (a first-class relic and large bronze statue of whom stand in the cathedral courtyard), Mother Cabrini Immigration Ministries pastorally accompany Spanish-speaking people in the parish and the River North neighborhood — both long-time residents and recent arrivals. Programs include pastoral accompaniment (Spanish-language Masses, sacramental prep), shelter visits, humanitarian assistance, legal referrals, ESL, job and housing searches, and collaboration with Catholic Charities and the broader Archdiocese. The initiative began gaining prominence after a December 2023 Spanish-language Advent Mass for over 500 newly arrived migrants.
- Pastoral accompaniment in Spanish
- Spanish-language sacramental preparation (e.g., Baptism)
- Shelter visits and humanitarian aid
- Legal referrals, ESL, job/housing search help
- Coordinator: Sr. Katie Mitchell, FSPA — (312) 573-4406
Young Adult Ministry
The Young Adult Ministry (YAM) at Holy Name Cathedral serves adults aged 18–40 with a three-pillar model — Communion, Prayer, and Service. Activities include a monthly gathering (first Sunday after the 5:15 PM Mass), Bible study, an annual retreat, mission trips (e.g., Peru, March 2025), service projects with the homeless and migrants, and a Young Adult designated 5:15 PM Sunday Mass.
- Staff Liaison: Rev. Ton Nguyen
- Three pillars: Communion, Prayer, Service
- Monthly gathering first Sunday after 5:15 PM Mass
- Annual retreat; Peru mission trip (2025)
- Annual coat drive for migrants
Faith Formation — Children & Adults
Faith formation is offered for every age. Children's Faith Formation (Peggy O'Brien, Coordinator) prepares children for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) accompanies adults discerning becoming Catholic — including unbaptized adults, Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and Eucharist. Lifelong Formation under Director Marta Stepniak and Spiritual Formation under Sr. Katie Mitchell, FSPA, round out adult formation, including Bible study, small-group accompaniment and retreats.
- Children's Faith Formation — Peggy O'Brien
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic) — Sr. Katie Mitchell
- Lifelong Formation — Marta Stepniak
- Spiritual Formation & Accompaniment — Sr. Katie Mitchell, FSPA
Stewardship & Giving
Holy Name Cathedral is a self-funded parish; it does not receive any funding from the Archdiocese of Chicago. The annual Rector's Appeal supports worship, faith formation, service ministries and operations. Catholic Stewardship is framed under the parish's 'Way of Life' theme, with Regina Zielinski as Director of Stewardship.
- Self-funded parish (no Archdiocesan subsidy)
- Rector's Annual Appeal
- Way of Life Stewardship — Regina Zielinski
- Online giving available
Visiting & Cathedral Hours
The cathedral building is open Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturday 8:30 AM–6:30 PM, and Sunday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM. The rectory is open Monday–Saturday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM. Free 15-minute cathedral tours are offered periodically (see the parish bulletin). Highlights include the Tree of Life vestibule doors, the suspended Resurrection Crucifix, the Stations of the Cross, the 23,000-piece wooden ceiling, and the bronze statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in the courtyard.
175th Anniversary (2024–2025): 'Faith in Action'
On November 18, 2024, Holy Name Cathedral marked the 175th anniversary of its founding as a parish with a year-long celebration under the theme 'Faith in Action.' Alderman Brendan Reilly presented a city resolution proclaiming Holy Name Cathedral Day in Chicago on November 18, 2024, and Cardinal Blase Cupich celebrated the opening Mass on Sunday, November 24, 2024, also marking his 10-year anniversary as Archbishop of Chicago. Events throughout the year highlighted the cathedral's history, liturgical arts, and pastoral mission.
- Nov. 18, 2024 — Holy Name Cathedral Day proclaimed by Chicago City Council
- Nov. 24, 2024 — Opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal Cupich
- Year-long theme: 'Faith in Action'
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
The pastor of the cathedral is Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago. The Rector is the Very Rev. Gregory Sakowicz. Associate Pastors are Rev. Andy Matijevic (also Director of Worship), Rev. Ton Nguyen (also Director of Young Adult Ministry), and Rev. Joe Tito. Resident priests include Most Rev. Lawrence Sullivan, Rev. John Boivin, Rev. Louis Cameli, Rev. Ramil Fajardo, and Rev. Patrick Gorman. Deacons include Deacon Dan Welter, Deacon Dennis Robak (Executive Director), Deacon David Pham, Deacon Stan Strom, and Deacon Michael McCloskey. The Oblate Sisters of Jesus the Priest serve the rectory and sacristy.
- Cardinal Blase J. Cupich — Pastor/Archbishop
- Very Rev. Gregory Sakowicz — Rector
- Rev. Andy Matijevic — Associate Pastor, Director of Worship
- Rev. Ton Nguyen — Associate Pastor, Young Adult Ministry Director
- Rev. Joe Tito — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Dennis Robak — Executive Director
- Oblate Sisters of Jesus the Priest (sacristy/rectory)
Connect & Visit
Beyond its website (holynamecathedral.org), Holy Name Cathedral shares updates, livestreams, and reflections through Facebook (@HolyNameChicago), Instagram (@HolyNameCat), X/Twitter (@HolyNameChicago), and YouTube. Sunday 10:30 AM Mass and weekday 12:00 PM Mass are livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.
- Website: holynamecathedral.org
- Facebook: @HolyNameChicago
- Instagram: @HolyNameCat
- X (Twitter): @HolyNameChicago
- YouTube: search 'Holy Name Cathedral'
- Sunday Mass televised 9:30 AM on ABC7 (Channel 7)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Jeremiah Kinsella1849–1851
First pastor of Holy Name Parish; previously president of the University of St. Mary of the Lake. Dedicated parish Nov. 18, 1849.
- Fr. William Clowry1851–(early 1850s)
Second pastor; built larger wooden church on the SE corner of State and Superior and added a school at State and Huron.
- Fr. Patrick J. McLaughlin1850s
Third pastor; celebrated first Mass in the brick Holy Name Church with stained-glass windows, making it a de facto Cathedral.
- Fr. Joseph P. Roles(1850s–1860s)
Eighth pastor (early succession); enhanced the church with new marble altar, side altars, pulpit and railing.
- Fr. John McMullen1870–1881
First Rector after parish became cathedral; oversaw 2,300 families and remodeled the old seminary for the chancery and clergy residences.
- Fr. Patrick Conway1881–1888
Second Rector; built the brick rectory at NW corner of Superior and Wabash; founded the women's Holy Name group and the men's St. Vincent de Paul Society group.
- Msgr. Michael Fitzsimmons1888–1928
Third Rector; led major cathedral interior/exterior renovations (1888–1893) to correct sagging on Superior Street side.
- Rev. (later Msgr.) Joseph Morrison1928 (administrator); 1932–1946 (rector)
Fourth Rector; arranged daily confessions; elevated to monsignor 1938; founded Catholic Lawyers Guild, Chicago Actors Council, Liturgical Conference, Catholic Interracial Council, and Maryhouse for homeless women.
- Msgr. Patrick Hayes(mid-20th c.)
Fifth Rector, named by Archbishop Stritch.
- Auxiliary Bishop Cletus F. O'Donnell(1960s)
Sixth Rector; in 1967 became Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin.
- Fr. (later Msgr.) Timothy J. Lyne1967–1990
Seventh Rector; administered through the 1968 renovation and 1969 reopening; initiated the first Cathedral Raffle to increase parish funding.
- Very Rev. Gregory Sakowiczc. 2016–present
Current Rector; oversaw the cathedral's 175th anniversary (2024–2025) and the 'Faith in Action' anniversary theme.
