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March 2, 2008

Holy Name Cathedral closes for structural repairs

About Holy Name Cathedral

Holy Name Cathedral opened in November of 1875. The present structure replaced a Church destroyed in the Chicago Fire of 1871.

Several renovations have taken place over the years, the most extensive in 1968-1969 when the cathedral was closed for 20 months and Masses were offered in various locations throughout the downtown area.

At that time, the cathedral was gutted, a new foundation was laid, and the interior was rebuilt in accord with the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

Just last year, a new terrazzo floor was installed enhancing the interior beauty of the cathedral.

The visible ceiling of the cathedral always has been entirely wooden. The ornate decorative ceiling was installed between 1878 and 1883. — Holy Name Cathedral

As of Feb. 26 Holy Name Cathedral was closed for repairs.

Extensive safety measures have been taken and structural fixes will be made at the historic church located at 735 N. State St. All Masses, including Sunday Masses, will be moved to the cathedral’s Parish Center auditorium, according to a statement from the archdiocese’s Office for Communications.

“It was certainly not the news we wanted to hear,” said Father Dan Mayall, pastor of Holy Name Cathedral. “We’re still hopeful that the place will be open by Easter.”

On Feb. 12, an approximately 10-lb. piece of the 19th-century wooden decorative ceiling fell 70 feet to the floor of the cathedral. It first hit a pew near the front left side of the church by the ambo, Mayall said. It bounced off the pew, leaving an inch-wide gouge in the wood, and landed in front of the pews on the floor.

The piece was found around 5:30 a.m. before the 6 a.m. Mass. Daily Mass moved next door to the Club Room in the basement of the Parish Center.

The archdiocese arranged for forensic engineers to inspect the cathedral ceiling. In addition, a protective, safety canopy over all the pews and the altar was erected.

As the engineers continued their investigation, they determined that the original 1874 wood trusses needed repairs. Methods to correct the problem are under review.

In order to protect all of the parishioners and visitors to Holy Name, the cathedral will remain closed until all of the repairs are complete.

Funeral Masses will be offered at neighboring parishes while scheduled baptisms and confessions will take place in other cathedral campus locations. Two weddings the weekend of Feb. 16 had to be relocated but no more weddings are scheduled until after Easter.

The annual Chrism Mass on March 19 will be relocated along with a planned day of reflection for priests.

“We don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Mayall said of the precautions. “Everyone is working as hard and as fast as they can to get the cathedral reopened.”

The Catholic New World will provide updates on cathedral repairs as they come. For more information visit www.holynamecathedral.org.