History of the Cathedral

Fire and Rebuilding: Holy Name Parish builds a Cathedral

Oct. 8, 1871

Plans were underway to make Holy Name Church in place of St. Mary’s as Chicago’s Cathedral, but the Chicago Fire breaks out, destroying 13,000 buildings, leaving 100,000 homeless with losses totaling more than $1 million.

Oct. 9, 1871

Holy Name Church, St. Mary’s Cathedral, five other churches, many schools, convents and orphanages are burned beyond recognition leading to 50,000 people abandoning the city.

Nov. 1871

After clearing away fire debris, a makeshift wooden structure (dubbed “shanty cathedral” heated by single pot-bellied stove) is erected at the southwest corner of Chicago Ave. with doors facing Wabash.

Oct. 9, 1872

Bishop Thomas P. Foley purchases the massive Plymouth Congregational Church at (19th and Wabash), rededicating it as Chicago’s temporary Pro-Cathedral. However, it lacks a spire and could not accommodate a sanctuary, high altar or sacristy

1872

For almost two years Bishop Foley and other clergy and laity travel across America —even venturing overseas — to raise money for Chicago’s new Holy Name Cathedral.

Feb. 1874

Brooklyn architect Patrick Charles Keely is hired to design and build a new “carpenter-style” Victorian Gothic cathedral on the northeast corner of State and Superior. Keely would be responsible for the construction of more than 600 churches, schools, rectories and convents throughout the United States and Canada.

July 19, 1874

For 16 months, insufficient funds delay laying of new 8’- ton, 6’- long and 2’- high Cathedral cornerstone; but at 4 p.m. Bishop Foley dedicates its contents (including religious, civic, educational and literary memorabilia) with the carved inscription: “At Jesus’ Name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord!” (Phil. 2:10-11)

Nov. 21, 1875

At 9 a.m. on Feast of Mary’s Presentation in Temple, Bishop Foley dedicates Holy Name Cathedral’s nave (218’- long, 70’- high, 102’- wide), transept (126’- wide) and spire (210’- high including 18’- high cross) with lavish marble interior, bright-colored windows and ornamental paintings at total cost of $260,000 (capacity 1,100-1,500 worshipers in parish of 2,700)

Nov. 28, 1880

After Pope Leo XIII’s appointment, Bishop Patrick A. Feehan of Nashville, Tennessee was installed as first Archbishop of Chicago (1880-1902).

1881

Fr. Patrick Conway becomes Holy Name’s second rector (1881-1888) and initiates Holy Angel’s children group and junior-girls St. Aloysius group; Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul depart from parish to open orphanage at 1100 N. Orleans.

1882

Fr. Conway constructs brick rectory at northwest corner of Superior and Wabash and starts women’s Holy Name’s group and men’s group (later known as St. Vincent de Paul Society)

July 1,1888

Archbishop Feehan names Msgr. Michael Fitzsimmons as Holy Name’s third rector (1888-1928). Msgr. Fitzsimmons who orchestrates a major Cathedral interior/exterior renovations (1888-1893). The quick, post-fire construction has left Chicago with a cathedral literally “sagging” on its Superior Street side.

Oct. 8 1899

Holy Name Parish celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its founding.