Holy Name Cathedral

Welcome to Holy Name Cathedral, the resplendent architectural cornerstone and spiritual home of the Roman Catholic Church in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. As the official cathedral of the Archdiocese of Chicago, this…

Before we cross the threshold into the solemn sanctuary, we must pause at the exterior of the cathedral along State Street, an area that provides a staggering juxtaposition between sacred architecture and the violent, tumultuous…

As we transition from the lingering echoes of State Street's turbulent past, we step through the elegant front doors into the quiet, enveloping atmosphere of the cathedral's vestibule. These newly crafted doors, along with the…

Directing our gaze upward and back toward the entrance, we find ourselves captivated by the cathedral's loft, which houses an absolute marvel of musical engineering and artistic craftsmanship: the grand gallery organ. This…

Stepping fully into the nave of the cathedral, the sheer volumetric scale of Patrick Keeley's original Gothic design becomes immediately apparent. The interior measures an expansive two hundred and thirty-three feet in length and…

As we approach the culmination of the nave, we arrive at the expansive sanctuary, the liturgical heart and ultimate focal point of Holy Name Cathedral. The space you see before you is largely the result of a massive and highly…

Flanking the massive granite altar on either side of the sanctuary steps are two extraordinary bronze reading stands, known liturgically as ambos. These magnificent structures are the masterworks of the esteemed artist Eugenio de…

Situated prominently within the sanctuary is a piece of furniture that grants this magnificent building its very title: the Cathedra. The word 'cathedra' translates from Latin simply as 'chair,' but within these walls, it…

As we move into the peripheral spaces flanking the grand central sanctuary, we discover areas dedicated to deep, personal contemplation and quiet devotion. To the left side of the sanctuary rests the profoundly sacred Shrine of…

As we stand near the center aisle and cast our gaze one final time over the expansive gothic interior of Holy Name Cathedral, it is essential to reflect on the sheer miraculous nature of this building's continued existence. The…