Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church in the United States is organised into ecclesiastical territories called dioceses, eparchies, and ordinariates, each led by a bishop who is assigned to a cathedral. There are 193 cathedrals of the Latin Church and 20 cathedrals of the Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States. The Catholic Church in the United States also has 93 Catholic Basilicas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of Catholic Cathedrals | 213 (193 Latin Church Cathedrals and 20 Eastern Catholic Church Cathedrals) |
| Number of Catholic Basilicas | 93 |
| State with the most basilicas | New York |
| Examples of Catholic Cathedrals | Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Denver, Colorado), Cathedral Basilica of St. James (Brooklyn, New York), St. Mary's Basilica (Phoenix, Arizona), Sacred Heart Cathedral (Fairbanks, Alaska), St. Augustine Cathedral (Tucson, Arizona) |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic basilicas in the US
There are 93 Catholic Basilicas in the United States. These basilicas are churches that have been granted certain privileges by the Pope. They are distinct from cathedrals, of which there are 193 in the US that belong to the Latin Church, and 20 that belong to the Eastern Catholic Churches.
New York has the most basilicas of any state, with eight in total. Here is a list of some of the Catholic basilicas in the US, divided by state:
Alabama
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Mobile
Arizona
St. Mary's Basilica, Phoenix
California
- Mission Basilica of San Diego de Alcala, San Diego
- St. Joseph Basilica, Alameda
- St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral Basilica, Bardstown
- Basilica of San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, Carmel-by-the-Sea
- St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Basilica, San Francisco
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, San Jose
- Mission Basilica of San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
Colorado
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver
Illinois
- Basilica of Queen of All Saints, Chicago
- Basilica of St. Hyacinth, Chicago
Indiana
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame
- Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes
Iowa
Basilica of St. John the Apostle, Des Moines
Kentucky
- Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of Gethsemani, Trappist
- Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington
- St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral Basilica, Bardstown
Louisiana
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, New Orleans
Maryland
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Baltimore
- Basilica of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg
Massachusetts
- Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Boston
- St. Stanislaus Basilica, Chicopee
- St. Joseph Basilica, Webster
Minnesota
Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis
Mississippi
St. Mary Basilica, Natchez
Missouri
- Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Conception
- Basilica of St. Louis, King of France (Old Cathedral), St. Louis
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis
New Jersey
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
New Mexico
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe
North Carolina
- Basilica of the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Belmont
- Basilica of St. Lawrence, Asheville
North Dakota
Basilica of St. James, Jamestown
Ohio
Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey
Pennsylvania
- St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica, Latrobe
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hanover
- Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto
- Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann, Scranton
- Basilica of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Danville
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Syracuse
Texas
- Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Vale, San Juan
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, San Antonio
Virginia
Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk
Washington, D.C.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
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Diocesan and archdiocesan cathedrals
A cathedral is a church that contains the cathedra, or 'seat', of a bishop, and serves as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with cathedral functions are usually specific to Christian denominations with an episcopal hierarchy, such as the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran churches.
The Catholic Church in the United States is made up of ecclesiastical territories called dioceses, eparchies, and ordinariates, each led by a bishop. Each bishop is assigned to a cathedral and acts as a pastor to the people of their jurisdiction. Diocesan cathedrals are marked with a one-bar globus cruciger, and archdiocesan cathedrals are marked with a two-bar globus cruciger.
The bishop is the first pastor of the diocese and governs the area under their administrative authority from the cathedral. The chapter is the bishop's consilium, which they are bound to consult on important matters. The chapter also takes charge of the diocese when there is a vacancy. The bishop's judicial decisions, changes to the service books, and certain episcopal acts, such as the appointment of a diocesan chancellor, require the confirmation of the chapter.
The income of a diocese is paid into a common fund and divided into four fixed shares for each main area of expenditure: the bishop, the cathedral clergy, the fabric and lighting of the cathedral and city churches, and charitable donations. The repair, renovation, and rebuilding of cathedrals are often the responsibility of the Sacred Congregation of the Council. The cost of repairs is usually borne by the bishop, with additional funds coming from the income of the fabrica, episcopal revenue, canons and other beneficed ecclesiastics of the cathedral, assessments on the diocesan clergy, and ecclesiastical taxes on the faithful.
The clergy of the diocese are expected to feel at home in their cathedral and participate in the services of the Church feasts and learn the ecclesiastical ceremonies. They are also obligated to celebrate the patronal feast and the anniversary of the cathedral's dedication.
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Cathedrals by state
The Catholic Church in the United States is divided into ecclesiastical territories called dioceses, eparchies, and ordinariates, each led by a bishop. There are 193 cathedrals of the Latin Church and 20 cathedrals of the Eastern Catholic Churches across these territories.
California
The Diocese of Orange's Christ Cathedral was once the "Crystal Cathedral" of the Reformed Church of America. It was sold to the Catholic Church in 2010 and transformed over more than a decade. The Diocese of Sacramento is home to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, while the Diocese of San Diego is home to St. Joseph's Cathedral. The Diocese of Stockton has the Cathedral of the Annunciation, and the Diocese of Colorado Springs has St. Mary's Cathedral.
Florida
The Archdiocese of Miami is home to the Cathedral of St. Mary, while the Diocese of St. Augustine is home to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. The Diocese of St. Petersburg has St. Jude Cathedral, and the Diocese of St. Petersburg has the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
Idaho, Kansas, and Washington
The Diocese of Boise in Idaho has the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. In Kansas, there is a cathedral in Dodge City. In Washington, there is a cathedral in Yakima.
Illinois and Indiana
The Archdiocese of Chicago is home to the Holy Name Cathedral. The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana has the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
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The architecture of US cathedrals
One notable example of cathedral architecture in the US is the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, which is considered the largest cathedral in the world. This Episcopal cathedral embodies a unique blend of architectural influences, incorporating various artistic styles and design elements.
Many US cathedrals follow the traditional cruciform shape, with a defined east-west axis. This orientation holds symbolic significance, as the eastern end is associated with the direction of the coming of Christ and the rising sun. Architects often designed the eastern end to optimise interior illumination by the sun, enhancing the spiritual experience within the cathedral.
The architectural styles of US cathedrals can vary, with influences from different cultural and religious traditions. Some cathedrals may exhibit Early Christian and Byzantine influences, featuring projecting semi-circular apses. Romanesque cathedrals, on the other hand, are characterised by rounded ends, with lower apses projecting from higher square ends, commonly found in Italy, Germany, and Eastern Europe.
French and English cathedrals often showcase a distinct style, with a high eastern end of semi-circular form, encircled by an ambulatory. This design has been preserved at Norwich Cathedral in England, while French cathedrals took this design further, extending it into a high vaulted apsidal end with lower passages or ambulatories.
Gothic cathedrals, originating in 12th-century France, are renowned for their soaring towers and stained glass windows that bathe the interior in softly filtered light. The Gothic style, pioneered by Abbot Suger, introduced architectural innovations such as flying buttresses and intentional use of light to create ethereal spaces that lift the gaze towards the heavens. The Gothic style, with its pointed arches and external buttresses, allowed for taller and more majestic structures, marking a departure from the heavier and darker Romanesque architecture.
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Pilgrimage to US cathedrals
The United States is home to 193 cathedrals of the Latin Church and 20 cathedrals of the Eastern Catholic Churches. For those interested in religious architecture, or those who simply want to embark on a pilgrimage to US cathedrals, there are many options to choose from.
One could start in the state of Alabama, where the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is located in Mobile. Moving north, in the state of Illinois, one can visit the Basilica of Queen of All Saints in Chicago, as well as the Basilica of St. Hyacinth, also in Chicago.
Continuing the pilgrimage across the Midwest, in Indiana, one can visit the Basilica of the Most Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, and the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier (Old Cathedral) in Vincennes. Moving east, in Massachusetts, pilgrims can stop at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus in Chicopee, as well as the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, Virginia, just across the state line.
For those interested in the West Coast, California boasts many cathedrals, including the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose, the Basilica of St. Mary in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Basilica of St. James in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Finally, a pilgrimage to the East Coast could include visits to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., the Basilica of St. John the Apostle in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence, Rhode Island.
These few paragraphs only scratch the surface of the many Catholic cathedrals in the United States. Each cathedral has its own unique history, architectural style, and artistic offerings, providing a rich and diverse experience for pilgrims and architecture enthusiasts alike.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 193 cathedrals of the Latin Church and 20 cathedrals of the Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States, totalling 213.
The Latin Church is the largest of the 24 autonomous Catholic churches that make up the Catholic Church and follows Latin liturgical rites. The Eastern Catholic Churches follow the Byzantine Rite and other Eastern Christian rites and traditions.
There are 93 Catholic Basilicas in the United States.
New York has the most Catholic Basilicas out of any state, with eight.
Some examples of Catholic Cathedrals in the United States include the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise, Idaho.
