History of the Cathedral

A Parish is formed and grows in a new city

Sept. 30, 1843

Diocese of Chicago, including all of Illinois, is created by the Vatican. Bishop William Quarter and his brother, Rev. Walter Quarter, are assigned to the diocese, headquartered at St. Mary’s.

Dec. 19, 1844

State of Illinois awards first the university charter for boys college to be built at what is now Chicago and Wabash Aves. and State and Superior Sts.

Oct. 17, 1845

In a new three-story wooden edifice designed by David Sullivan, University of St. Mary of the Lake (U.S.M.L.) opens with a first-floor Chapel of the Holy Name of Jesus (a popular Irish devotion of that era) with Fr. Jeremiah Kinsella as university president.

July. 4, 1846

U.S.M.L. is dedicated and Holy Name Chapel is blessed, now serving north side English-speaking Catholics

Nov. 18, 1849

Holy Name Parish is dedicated with its first free-standing church (small wooden-frame building on the northeast corner of State between Huron and Superior) and Fr. Kinsella is appointed first pastor.

1851

Holy Name’s second pastor, Fr. William Clowry builds a larger wooden church on the southeast corner of State and Superior and adds school at State and Huron.

Aug. 3, 1853

Cornerstone for Holy Name Church (soon to be largest Gothic Church in Chicago) is laid on southeast corner of State and Superior; it is constructed of Milwaukee Brick (196’ long and 82’ wide with projected 248’ steeple) at a cost of $100,000.

Dec. 25, 1854

The third pastor, Fr. Patrick J. McLaughlin, celebrates first Mass in brick Holy Name Church with new stained-glass windows, making it “de facto Cathedral” for large and solemn events.

1855

Holy Name Church is finally completed in fall and St. Vincent de Paul Society is formed.

1863

The eighth pastor Fr. Joseph P. Roles enhances Holy Name Church with new marble altar, side altars, pulpit and railing with other inlaid decorations.

Oct. 29, 1870

Fr. John McMullen becomes first rector of Holy Name (1870-1881) with 2,300 families and he remodels old seminary for chancery and clergy residences.