History of the Cathedral

Reaching towards the Future

October 1979

Pope John Paul II visits Chicago, celebrating Mass in Grant Park. He visits Holy Name Cathedral on two successive evenings, hearing concerts of liturgical music by Tenor Luciano Pavorotti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

May 1980

Holy Name initiates Ministry of Care for the sick and chaplaincies are set up at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Illinois Masonic’s Barr Pavilion.

1981

The Sanctuary Organ, handmade by Casavant Freres, is installed to the right of the altar. With 1,284 pipes, it is built in the 17th-century French style, a distinguished period in organ history.

April 25, 1982

Cardinal Cody died suddenly of a heart attack.

Aug. 25, 1982

After Pope St. John Paul II’s appointment, Archbishop Joseph Louis Bernardin of Cincinnati was installed as the seventh Archbishop of Chicago (1982-1996).

Feb. 2, 1983

Pope St. John Paul II elevates Archbishop Bernardin to fifth Chicago Cardinal.

Dec. 13, 1983

Fr. Timothy J. Lyne is named Auxiliary Bishop but continues as Holy Name Cathedral rector until his retirement in 1990.

1989

The Gallery Organ, handmade in the workshops of Flentrop Orgelbouw in Holland, is installed. With 5,558 pipes, it is easily the largest mechanical-action organ in the Chicago area.

Jan. 1990

Fr. Robert E. McLaughlin succeeded Bishop Lyne as Holy Name’s eighth rector (1990-2002). He previously served as rector of Niles College Seminary at Loyola University. He established the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council.

1993

A new “model elementary school,” Frances Xavier Warde, opens at Old St. Patrick’s parish for pre-K and 1-3 grades.

1994

When Cathedral High School closes, Holy Name’s FXW campus welcomes kindergarten and 4-8 grades drawing from families in and around downtown.

Nov. 14, 1996

Cardinal Bernardin died of pancreatic cancer. Not since the visitation and funeral of George Cardinal Mundelein had so many visitors come to mourn a Chicago prelate. Crowds snake around the Cathedral campus and Chicago Avenue, some waiting in line for hours to pay their respects to Cardinal Bernardin.

May 7, 1997

After Pope St. John Paul II’s appointment, Archbishop Francis Eugene George, O.M.I. from Portland, Oregon was installed as Chicago’s eighth Archbishop (1997– 2014). He is the first native Chicagoan to head the Archdiocese.

Sept, 1997

Holy Name’s Cardinal Bernardin Parish Center is enlarged to include rectory staff offices, FXW classrooms, choir rehearsal rooms, elevator and new gym for both parish and school.

Feb. 21, 1998

Pope St. John Paul II elevates Archbishop George to Chicago’s sixth Cardinal.

Nov. 1998

The Jubilee Year (1998-1999) commemorates 150 years of Holy Name Parish and 125 years of Holy Name Cathedral with the theme: “Celebrating the Past–Creating the Future.”

Sept. 21, 1999

The Oblate Sisters of Jesus the Priest from Mexico replace Little Sisters of Holy Family from Canada in serving rectory priests’ housekeeping and dining needs along with managing sacristy linens.

March 12, 2000

The Cathedral begins 10 a.m. Sunday Masses at XII Pillar Chapel at River East Plaza/North Pier.

Jan. 2002

The pastor of St. Francis Borgia Church, Fr. Daniel Mayall (later made Monsignor) is named the ninth rector. During his tenure various programs are updated (Sacramental Ministries, R.C.I.A., Docents, Religious Education, Small Faith Communities) and outreach to other neighborhood organizations is expanded.

April 24, 2005

Cardinal George is Chicago’s first native son to vote in Papal Election of Benedict XVI after Pope St. John Paul II died of Parkinson’s disease.

2005

Holy Name’s Books and Gifts Shop is set up in Cathedral basement, sponsored by Adam DeMuro family

Sept. 2007

Holy Name’s “Restore and Renew Campaign” pledges $8.2 million over 5 years to renovate Cathedral interior and remodel the Rectory and courtyard. The campaign affords tuckpointing on the outer Cathedral walls, laying new nave and sanctuary floors, new kneelers and pews for seating 1,100. The Cathedral serves 5,000 registered households.