Located in Dallas’ Art District, The Cathedral’s cornerstone was laid on June 17, 1898. But, its history goes all the way back in 1869 when the first Catholic Parish in Dallas was established with the Sacred Heart designated as its patron saint.
The original church was built in 1872 in Bryan and Ervay Streets, (the present-day site of the central post office), but by 1890, the parish had outgrew its church building and work began in the “new” (present day) cathedral at Ross and Pearl Streets.
On October 26, 1902, the Cathedral was formally dedicated as the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart but by 1960, the attendance to the Cathedral has dwindled. Meanwhile, a neighboring parish on Harwood St, “The Lady of Guadalupe” had outgrown its church.
Bishop Thomas Tschoepe invited the parish to merge with Sacred Heart’s. In 1975, the old Guadalupe church was closed. On December 12, 1977, Sacred Heart Cathedral was renamed Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe — the Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Cathedral is one of a handful of original Dallas buildings that dates to the 19th century, making it a rare historic gem in the Big D.
Designed by renowned architect Nicholas J. Clayton, the Cathedral is one of the finest remaining examples of High Victorian Gothic Architecture in Dallas, and the last remaining example of Clayton’s work in the city.
First published on Apr 27, 2012/
