Welcome to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception!
The story of our current Cathedral began in 1839 when it was founded as St. Mary's. Fast forward nearly a century, and the seat of the diocese was moved to Springfield from Alton in 1923. In the same year, “Old St. Mary’s” church of Immaculate Conception Parish was named as the pro-cathedral of the new diocese until this Cathedral church was built and dedicated in 1928.
St. Mary's Church, Springfield, IL.
Photo Courtesy of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois Office for Archives and Records Management
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Springfield, IL, circa 1928.
Photo Courtesy of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois Office for Archives and Records Management
New Altar, Dedicated in 2009.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Springfield, Illinois.
Following the Built on Faith, Renewed in Hope campaign, the Cathedral Church closed in September of 2008 for fifteen months and underwent its only major structural project since being built in 1928. Our current Cathedral was restored, and the new altar was dedicated on December 2, 2009.
Scaffolding Inside the Cathedral During the Renovation in 2008-2009.
Photos Courtesy of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois Office for Archives and Records Management
The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago since 2003, was named the ninth bishop of Springfield in Illinois on April 20. Bishop Paprocki was installed as diocesan bishop in the Cathedral Church on June 22, 2010.
Currently, our diocese comprises twenty-eight counties in central Illinois, serving over 140,000 members of the Catholic faithful. The Cathedral presently serves over 850 families, and over 2000 souls. Cathedral parishioners represent a wide variety of ethnic and social backgrounds and come from all over the city of Springfield and the surrounding areas.
The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki
Bishop of Springfield in Illinois
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Springfield in Illinois
On behalf of Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, our parishioners, deacons, and priests, we welcome you to the mother church of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. May God bless you and yours!