History of the Cathedral

Early 20th Century: Service and Growth in the Metropolis

1914

Holy Name’s sanctuary is divided and extended 15’ eastward to accommodate larger events. Society and Ushers’ Club are formed.

Feb. 9, 1916

After Pope Benedict XV’s appointment, Auxiliary Bishop George William Mundelein from Brooklyn, New York was installed as third Archbishop of Chicago (1915-1939). He barely escapes arsenic poisoning the next day at a hotel banquet.

March 24, 1924

Pope Pius XI elevates Archbishop Mundelein to first Cardinal of Chicago (“first Cardinal of West”) and he is welcomed home from Rome by an exuberant crowd on May 11.

Nov. 10, 1924

Bootlegger/gangster Dion O’Banion is killed by Al Capone’s gunmen in Schofield Flower Shop across from Holy Name at 738 N. State where Cathedral choir used to vest before Mass. O’Banion had been altar boy, choir boy and married at Holy Name but is denied Holy Name burial yet is buried at Mount Carmel near Catholic Bishop’s Mausoleum.

June 20, 1926

The 28th International Eucharistic Congress convenes at Holy Name Cathedral as the largest event ever in any American church.

Oct. 11, 1926

At 4 p.m, north side gang leader Earl “Hymie” Weiss and bodyguards in two parked cars at corner of Superior and State are killed by Al Capone’s gunmen firing both from second-floor of Schofield’s Flower Shop and from hotel at 1 W. Superior St. Weiss and crew are conditionally anointed on Cathedral steps by Fr. Bernard J. Sheil, but were refused burial from Holy Name Cathedral.

1928

Cardinal Mundelein appoints Fr. Joseph Morrison as Administrator (1928) and fourth rector (1932-1946). He arranges daily confessions (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), is elevated to monsignor (1938) and organizes the Catholic Lawyers Guild, Chicago Actors Council, Liturgical Conference, Catholic Interracial Council and Maryhouse for homeless women.

Sept. 22, 1929

After the previous rectory/chancery is demolished, a new six-story limestone Rectory is dedicated at Superior and Wabash (costing $425,000). The Little Sisters of Holy Family (PSSF) from Sherbrooke, Canada arrive to assist priests with housekeeping in adjacent convent separated by firewall

Sept. 16, 1937

Holy Name’s co-ed grade school and two-year high school is constructed at the southwest corner of Wabash and Chicago for students who cannot pay tuition at private schools; 100 freshmen from 25 parishes are taught by BVMs and Holy Name priests instruct religion classes.