CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The 18th day of November is now officially Holy Name Cathedral Day in Chicago, following a resolution presented on the cathedral’s 175th anniversary.
On Nov. 18, 1849, a small church on the corner of State and Superior Streets was dedicated as the Holy Name Parish, built as an overflow for the existing Holy Name Chapel then nearby.
“One hundred and seventy-five years ago now, Chicago was 16 years old with a population of approximately 24,000 people,” said Fr. Greg Sakowicz. “The mostly Irish population north of the river had received permission to go to mass at Holy Name Chapel, and attendance was so overflowing that a new, wood-framed church was built directly across the street.”
The church was rebuilt as the Holy Name Cathedral after the Great Chicago Fire.
On Monday, downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) delivered a city resolution — signed by Mayor Brandon Johnson — officially declaring Nov. 18, 2024, as Holy Name Cathedral Day in Chicago.
With a full year ahead of commemorative programming, a special liturgy will be led this Sunday by Cardinal Blase Cupich. The liturgy can be streamed online through the Holy Name Cathedral YouTube channel.
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