After a two year renovation, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross reopened just in time for Holy Week and Easter Sunday. A private Mass for invited guests took place on Saturday morning, April 13 with Cardinal O'Malley presiding and blessing the new marble altar installed in the center of the sanctuary.

The Cardinal again presided at Mass for Palm Sunday at 11:30 on April 14 and a good crowd was on hand to see the refurbished Cathedral. Highlights of the renovation include new marble flooring throughout, refurbished pews positioned in a nicer arrangement with more spacing and new lighting and painting of the interior.

After the Mass, all those participating in the Boston Marathon were invited to come together on the steps of the sanctuary for a blessing from the Cardinal. The congregation responded with a round of applause.

The Cardinal will preside at all the events for Holy Week this week that include the Easter Vigil on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and Mass on Easter Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

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Chronology of Holy Cross Cathedral
South End of Boston



1859
Land was purchased at the corner of Washington and Malden Street in the South End of Boston

1866
On April 26, Bishop Williams and architect Patrick Keeley approved plans for the new cathedral. Ground was broken on June 25 for the foundation.

1867
The cornerstone was blessed in the presence of 25, 000 viewers on September 15.

1870
The side chapel was the first part of the project to be completed. There, on September 28, Bishop Williams celebrated the first Mass.

1873
Mass was held for the first time in the basement chapel on December 7.

1875
On May 2, the Cathedral was used for its first public function, the conferral of the Pallium on Archbishop Williams. Boston was now an archdiocese and the Metropolitan See of New England. In the presence of a great gathering of clergy and laity, the cathedral was dedicated on Wednesday, December 8. A new residence for the Archbishop and the Cathedral staff was also erected in 1875.

1901
In the summer, the elevated line from Dudley Square to downtown was completed, taking away a front view of the Cathedral that would last until May, 1988.

1912
The old residence of Archbishop Williams from 1866 to 1871 at the corner of Washington and Union Park Streets was demolished in April to make way for a wider Union Park Street and improving the view of the Cathedral.



1937
Construction got underway on a new rectory for the Cathedral staff. Cardinal O'Connell blessed the building on December 8. The date was also his 78th birthday.

1944
After the funeral of Cardinal O'Connell in April, the Cathedral was closed for a major renovation and cleaning. The Cathedral reopened for Mission Sunday, October 22 and all was ready for the installation of Archbishop Cushing on November 8.

1950
The 75th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral was commemorated with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Friday, December 8. Other Masses followed over the weekend as part of the anniversary.

1975
The 100th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese in 1875 and the present Cathedral was commemorated with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, April 20. The homily was delivered by John Cardinal Wright.

1988
In May, the elevated line was demolished all along Washington Street, allowing light to shine on the façade of the Cathedral for the first time since the fall of 1899.

1992
An ambitious restoration of the stained glass windows in the transepts was completed by December.

1995
The chapel underwent an ambitious restoration that included replacing the green coloring with rich Victorian colors and improved lighting and simplicity. Cardinal Law re-dedicated the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursday, September 28. A new elevator was part of the project too.

1997
In October, the Cathedral closed for another ambitious restoration that included painting the interior, carpeting and other improvements.


1998
The refurbished Cathedral reopened for Mass on Saturday, April 4 and thereafter was in use for Holy Week and Easter.

2000
The 125th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral was commemorated with a Mass of Thanksgiving led by Cardinal Law on the evening of December 8.

2001
In April, new outdoor lighting was installed outside the front façade of the Cathedral.

2015
Cleaning and restoration of the exterior of the Cathedral stones got underway in late spring and continued over the summer and fall giving the grand church a spectacular appearance. In October, Cardinal O'Malley blessed a group of bells from the nearby closed Holy Trinity Church prior to their installation in the Cathedral's belfry.

2017
The Cathedral closed again for another major renovation. This time, the pews are removed for new flooring and scaffolding is erected throughout.

2019
The Cathedral re-opens in April. A Mass of rededication takes place on Saturday, April 13. The Cathedral welcomes all on Palm Sunday and Holy week after being closed for two years.