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Holy Name Cathedral

 Address: 735 N. State St, Chicago

 Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago

 Completed: 1874

 Architects: Patrick Charles Keely, HJ Schlacks, Charles Murphy, Joseph McCarthy

 Architectural Style: Gothic revival

 The cathedral features motifs meant to instill an ambience of physically dwelling in the biblical “Tree of Life.”

The official website of Holy Name Cathedral.. click here..

 

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Holy Name Cathedral was built in the Gothic revival architectural style while at the same time integrating motifs symbolic of the message of the modern Church. The church building is 233 feet (71 m) long, 126 feet (38 m) wide and can seat 2,000 people. The ceiling is 150 feet (46 m) high and has a spire that reaches 210 feet (64 m) into the sky. Overall, the cathedral features motifs meant to instill an ambience of physically dwelling in the biblical Tree of Life.

NOTE: Although the images are taken by me,
the information/ texts are taken from the website of Holy Name Cathedral..click here..

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BRONZE CATHEDRAL DOORS: The first feature that greets worshipers are massive bronze doors designed by Albert J. Friscia that weigh 1200 pounds each. The doors introduce the overall “Tree of Life” theme with intricate details that serve to make the doors look like overwhelming planks of wood. The doors possess a hydraulic system that allows them to be opened with the push of a finger. Beyond the doors is a vestibule encased in glass.

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CEILING ART WORK: The five circles on the ceiling originally were drawn in 2008 by Chicago artist Larry Cope. In the center, the large “IHS” is a 15th century logo representing the Holy Name of Jesus and popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena. It is placed over a shadow-image of a phoenix bird, the mythical figure rising from its own ashes, Christ rising from the dead, Chicago rising from the Great Fire, and the Cathedral itself surviving with a new life. The surrounding circles are the classic representation of the four evangelists – Matthew, a Man; Mark, a Lion; Luke, an Ox; John, an Eagle. The gold leaf on the ceiling was meticulously restored in the wake of the 2009 fire by Daprato Rigali Studios of Chicago.

 

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RESURRECTION CRUCIFIX: is a powerful interpretation of the universal sign of Christianity. It is created by artist Ivo Demetz. Suspended above the main altar, the wooden Crucifix depicts Christ as he is today and always, not a figure in agony, but the risen and triumphant Lord who died for our salvation.

 

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The AMBO of the Evangelists : Approaching the sanctuary and the main altar, to the left is the Ambo (lectern) of the Evangelists, where the Word of God is proclaimed during Mass. This bronze casting by Eugenio de Courten depicts the authors of the Gospels with their symbols:
Matthew, the angel representing the Gospel of the Church;
Mark, the lion and inspiration for Peter’s teachings or catechesis;
Luke, the ox, for his recounting of Christ’s infancy;
John, the eagle, for the writer of the Spiritual Gospel,
recounting the story of “the Word made flesh”.

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ALTAR: A six-ton monolithic block of red-black Rosso Imperiale di Solberga granite from Argentina forms the mensa or table top of the altar. The pedestal is encircled by a bronze bas-relief depicting Old Testament scenes of sacrificial offerings and preparation. These precursors of Christ’s sacrifice are Abel’s offering of the first sacrifice; the priest Melchizedek giving bread and wine; (pictured) Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac; and the Prophet Elijah receiving bread and water from the Angel of the Lord for strength to continue on his journey. The consecrated altar contains relics from St. John the Apostle and St. Timothy.

CATHEDRA (Bishop’s Chair): Behind the altar, on a platform raised against the sanctuary wall is the Cathedra, the Bishop’s chair, the genesis of the word “Cathedral.” This simple carved chair features three panels depicting our first Christian teachers, Christ (center) and Saint Peter (left) and Saint Paul (right).

SANCTUARY PANELS: Five bronze panels representing the Holy Name of Jesus. Above the Cathedra on the rear wall of the Cathedral Sanctuary are five bronze panels representing the Holy Name of Jesus, designed by Attilio Selva. From the left: [1] Simeon contemplating the Infant Savior, whom Mary presents in the Temple; [2] the divine origin of the name, depicting the Mystery of the Trinity and an angel carrying the monogram of Christ to earth; [3] the Risen Christ proclaimed as Lord; [4] the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, showing Mary and Joseph presenting the Child for circumcision and naming; [5] On the right, the Holy Name and Priesthood of Jesus, with Christ adorned in vestments presenting the chalice to all people.

Simply put, they depict: Simeon contemplating the baby Jesus at his presentation to the Temple, the mystery of the Trinity, the resurrection of Jesus, the naming and circumcision of Jesus, and Jesus dressed as a priest for mass.

GALEROS [Cardinal’s Hats]: Holy Name Cathedral continues the tradition of raising the galero, a wide-brimmed tasseled hat, of a deceased cardinal over the cathedra from the highest point of the semicircular, domed cathedral apse. The galero is hung in Holy Name Cathedral where they remain until they are reduced to dust, symbolizing how all earthly glory is passing. Looking up above the Cathedra are the galeri of Cardinals Mundelein, Stritch, Meyer, Cody, Bernardin, and George.

SANCTUARY ORGAN: Handmade by Casavant Frères in 1981, the sanctuary organ is comprised of 1284 pipes in 19 stops distributed over 2 keyboards and a pedal. It is a modern adaptation of organ building in the 17th-Century French style, one of the most distinguished periods in organ history

 

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GALLERY ORGAN:  This magnificent instrument, with its vocality of tone and soaring beauty of its French Oak cases, is one of the most significant organs in the United States. It was handmade for the Cathedral in the workshops of Flentrop Orgelbouw in Zaandam, Holland, and installed in 1989. Comprised of 5,558 pipes in 71 stops over 4 keyboards and pedal, it is easily the largest mechanical action organ in the Chicago area. Its true grandeur, however, does not come from its size or appearance but from its wide spectrum of available sounds, which gracefully lead musical liturgy and lift the hearts of all who hear it.

 

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STATIONS of CROSS: As you move up the center aisle, notice the Stations of the Cross that start along the left aisle, circle the back wall and move up the right aisle. Depicting the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ, the stations are cast in bronze and framed in red Rocco Alicante marble. They are the works of Goffredo Verginelli.

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS:  The abstract stained glass windows, created in Milan, were designed to create an atmosphere of prayer and reflection, while making maximum use of light. Like every piece of art in the Cathedral, they tell a story -of humankind’s movement from darkness into light, from sin into salvation. Dark blues and reds dominate the western windows, with the colors gradually progressing to the whites and golds seen behind the altar and the Resurrection Crucifix.

 

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RELATED LINKS
Places of Worship: Churches & more.. click here..
Places of Worship: Temples & more.. click here..
Open House Chicago [OHC].. click here..

Photo Gallery / Church Art and Architecture.. click here..

Home: Public Art in Chicago.. click here..

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