List of cathedrals in Illinois facts for kids

A cathedral is a very important church building. It's special because it's where a bishop has their official seat or "chair." A bishop is a high-ranking leader in many Christian churches, like the Roman Catholic Church or the Episcopal Church. Think of a cathedral as the main church for a whole group of churches in a specific area, often called a diocese.

Illinois is a state in the United States that has many beautiful and historic cathedrals. These buildings are not just places of worship; they are also important parts of their communities and show different styles of architecture. This list will take you on a tour of some of the cathedrals you can find across Illinois.

Cathedrals in Illinois

Belleville

In the city of Belleville, you'll find St. Peter's Cathedral. This is a Roman Catholic cathedral, serving as a key church for the Catholic community in that region.

St. Peter's Cathedral in Belleville.

Bellwood (Chicago Area)

Bellwood, located near the big city of Chicago, is home to two unique cathedrals:

• Mar Thoma Shleeha Cathedral belongs to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. This is an Eastern Catholic church that follows its own ancient traditions.

Mar Thoma Shleeha Cathedral in Bellwood.

• Saint Gregorios Cathedral is part of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church. This church is one of the Oriental Orthodox churches, which have a long history.

Saint Gregorios Cathedral in Bellwood.

Chicago

Chicago, the largest city in Illinois, has many different cathedrals, showing the diverse religious communities in the city:

• Holy Name Cathedral is a major Roman Catholic cathedral. It is one of the most well-known churches in Chicago.

Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

• St. James Cathedral is an Episcopal cathedral. The Episcopal Church is a branch of Christianity that has roots in the Church of England.

St. James Cathedral in Chicago.

• Annunciation Cathedral is a Greek Orthodox cathedral. Orthodox churches have distinct traditions and beautiful icons.

Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago.

• St. Nicholas Cathedral belongs to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. This is another Eastern Catholic church, similar to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

St. Nicholas Cathedral in Chicago.

• Holy Trinity Cathedral is part of the Orthodox Church in America. This church is one of the main Orthodox Christian groups in North America.

Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago.

• St. George Cathedral is also part of the Orthodox Church in America.

St. George Cathedral in Chicago.

• Holy Resurrection Cathedral is a Serbian Orthodox cathedral. Serbian Orthodox churches follow the traditions of the Orthodox Church in Serbia.

Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Chicago.

• Ss. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Cathedral is a Romanian Orthodox cathedral. This church serves the Romanian Orthodox community.

Ss. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago.

• Mar Gewargis (St. George) Cathedral belongs to the Assyrian Church of the East. This is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.

Mar Gewargis Cathedral in Chicago.

• St. Volodymyr Cathedral is a Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral. It serves the Ukrainian Orthodox community in Chicago.

St. Volodymyr Cathedral in Chicago.

• All Saints Cathedral is part of the Polish National Catholic Church. This church is not in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

All Saints Cathedral in Chicago.

Des Plaines (Chicago Area)

In Des Plaines, another city near Chicago, you can find the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral. This cathedral belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines.

Joliet

The city of Joliet is home to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus. This is a Roman Catholic cathedral.

Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet.

Peoria

In Peoria, you can visit the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. This is another important Roman Catholic cathedral in Illinois.

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria.

Quincy

Quincy has two cathedrals named St. John's Cathedral, but they belong to different Anglican churches:

• St. John's Cathedral is part of the Anglican Church in America.

St. John's Cathedral (Anglican Church in America) in Quincy.

• Another St. John's Cathedral belongs to the Anglican Church in North America.

St. John's Cathedral (Anglican Church in North America) in Quincy.

Rockford

In Rockford, you'll find the Cathedral of St. Peter. This is a Roman Catholic cathedral.

Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford.

Springfield

Springfield, the capital of Illinois, is home to two significant cathedrals:

• Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic cathedral.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.

• Cathedral Church of St. Paul is an Episcopal cathedral.

Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Springfield.

Wheaton (Chicago Area)

In Wheaton, near Chicago, you can find the Church of the Resurrection. This church is a cathedral for the Anglican Church in North America.

Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton.

See also

• List of cathedrals in the United States