CHICAGO – The sound of voices and instruments filled Holy Name Cathedral Sunday for a joyous occasion.
A special Mass was held to honor Holy Name Cathedral’s 175th anniversary.
“Today, it seems so appropriate to celebrate this anniversary on a day in which the church year comes to a close and we anticipate the beginning of a new church year with the first Sunday of Advent next week,” Archbishop Blase Cupich said.
The church also took a moment to honor Cardinal Cupich who’s celebrating 10 years as Archbishop of Chicago.
“The cathedral was packed on that day as it was today. So I really feel very at home with these people who have welcomed me,” Cupich said.
Thousands of parishioners came out to celebrate with the clergy as well.
“175 years is a long super time. The fact that it’s been a monumental part of our city has just been awesome to see,” parishioner Killian Stevens said.
Holy Name Church was dedicated on Nov. 18, 1849. Its original building was lost in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Holy Name Cathedral was built four years later.
“Right now we’re celebrating 175 years as a parish and next Nov. 21, 2025, we’ll celebrate 150 years as a cathedral,” said Fr. Greg Sakowicz.
Today, Holy Name serves as a parish and the seat of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Their staff serves the spiritual needs of over two million Catholics in the Chicago area.
“I actually showed up with my girlfriends just as a visitor, and the warm welcome we had from the current pastor at that time, he remembered our names, invited us back and we’ve all been parishioners ever since,” Kimberlee Curnyn said.
Cupich said this milestone isn’t just to celebrate the past, it’s also about looking ahead to how the parish will serve people for generations to come.
