Amanda's Cathedral List
Top 10 Cathedrals in the United States
Plus the cross-country pilgrimage of a lifetime
Top 10 Cathedrals
Cathedral Travels
Total Cathedrals in Each State
Amanda's Count
FAQ
Cathedrals by State
Cathedrals by state - but only the ones that Amanda has visited so far!Â
Years shown are the dates that Amanda first visited the given cathedral
CURRENT TOTAL: 68 Roman Catholic
1 Maronite Cathedral
California -Â Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles (2010)
Colorado - Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver (2005)
Cathedral of Saint Mary, Colorado Springs (2015)
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Pueblo (2012)
Delaware - Cathedral of Saint Peter, Wilmington (2025)
District of Columbia - Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle (2024)
Georgia - Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta (2023)
Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist (2007)
Idaho - Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Boise (2016)
Illinois - Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago (2017)
Indiana - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne (2023)
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis (2023)
St. John the Evangelist Pro-Cathedral, Indianapolis (2023)
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Lafayette (2024)
Kansas - Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City (2016)
Kentucky - Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington (2023)
Cathedral of Christ the King, Lexington (2023)
Cathedral of the Assumption, Louisville (2023)
St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral Basilica, Bardstown (2024)
Louisiana - Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis King of France, New Orleans (2009)
Maryland - Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Baltimore (2024)
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Co-Cathedral, Baltimore (2024)
Michigan - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit (2023)
Missouri -Â Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis (2021)
Nebraska - Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grand Island (2017)
Cathedral of the Risen Christ, Lincoln (2021)
Saint Cecilia Cathedral, Omaha (2021)
St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church (formerly St. Philomena Cathedral), Omaha (2021)
New Jersey -Â Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden (2025)
Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold (2025)
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Paterson (2025)
Saint Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen (2025)
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark (2025)
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, Trenton (2025)
St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral, Camden (2025)
St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral, Newark (2025)
New Mexico -Â Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe (2011)
New York -Â Cathedral Basilica of St. James, Brooklyn (2025)
Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Brooklyn (2025)
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City (2025)
Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York City (2025)
[Maronite Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon, Brooklyn (2025)]
North Carolina -Â Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Charlotte (2006)
Sacred Heart Church (Old Cathedral) Raleigh (2010)
*Raleigh constructed a new cathedral - Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral - in 2017. At the time I visited NC, I saw all of the cathedrals there. Someday I'll make it to the new cathedral in Raleigh!
Ohio -Â Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Cincinnati (2023)
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland (2023)
Saint Joseph Cathedral, Columbus (2023)
Holy Name Cathedral, Steubenville (2023)
Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, Toledo (2023)
Saint Columba Cathedral, Youngstown (2023)
Oklahoma -Â Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa (2011)
St. Joseph Old Cathedral, Oklahoma City (2002)
Oregon -Â Saint Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland (2016)
Saint Francis de Sales Cathedral, Baker (2016)
Pennsylvania -Â Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown (2025)
Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Harrisburg (2025)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia (2025)
South Carolina -Â Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist (2013)
South Dakota -Â Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City (2011)
Tennessee -Â Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Knoxville (2023)
Cathedral of the Incarnation, Nashville (2021)
Texas -Â Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Houston (2014)
Utah -Â Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City (2021)
Virginia -Â Cathedral of Saint Thomas More, Arlington (2024)
Washington -Â Saint James Cathedral, Seattle (2011)
Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, Spokane (2017)
Saint Paul Cathedral, Yakima (2018)
West Virginia -Â Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston (2023)
Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Wheeling (2023)
Wyoming -Â Saint Mary's Cathedral, Cheyenne (2011)
What is a Pro or Proto Cathedral?
A pro-cathedral is a church that is temporarily serving as a cathedral while a permanent or new cathedral is being built.
A proto-cathedral is a church that was formerly a cathedral before the seat of the bishop (aka the cathedra, Latin for 'chair') was moved to another church. Alternatively, proto-cathedrals are also called "Old Cathedral" or the "Cathedral" title is removed entirely from the name.
What is a Co-Cathedral?
Sometimes a diocese will have more than one cathedral. In this case, one (or both) of the cathedrals are called "co-cathedral".
This can happen for a variety of reasons:
- Two diocese have been combined and both cathedrals are retained
- A diocese is so large that travel to one cathedral would be difficult, so two cathedrals are named to make travel more feasible
- A diocese has a cathedral but outgrows it or needs a larger church for liturgical ceremonies, so a second cathedral is built/named
What is the difference between a cathedral and a basilica?
A cathedral is the mother church for the diocese, which is where the Bishop's chair sits. Each diocese has at least one cathedral, sometimes more, depending on the diocese.
A basilica is a church that has a special designation from the Vatican. Despite the historical use of the word "basilica" (often used to describe the floor plan of a church), a church that has been designated a basilica does not have to do with the architecture of a church.
You'll know that a church has been designated a basilica if it has the following:
a) An umbrellino, also called umbraculum, or "umbrella", made of red and gold cloth (if it is a major basilica) or red and gold silk (if it is a minor basilica)
b) A tintinnabulum, or "little bell" signifying its special relationship with the Holy Father.
To learn more about the differences, be sure to check out our Cathedral Unit Study, coming out in fall 2025!
Miraculous Entries
Often times Amanda will find a cathedral locked upon arrival, but St. Joseph always finds a way for some miraculous entries. Click below for stories of how Amanda gets in, even if the doors are locked! (Without breaking and entering, of course!)
Map / Full List of Cathedrals
For a complete list of Catholic cathedrals in the US (and, for that matter, the world), including former and current cathedrals, as well as basilicas, please visit GCatholic - a non-profit that provides maps and lists of cathedrals all over the world!
Visit GCatholic, then click on "Show Map" for a full listing of US Catholic Cathedrals
Cathedral Resources
Want to learn more? Be sure to fill out the box above to get updates about our forthcoming unit study!
Books (Adults):
- How to Read Churches by Denis McNamara
- How to Read a Church by Richard Taylor
- The Gothic Enterprise by Robert Scott
- Cathedrals of the World by Graziella Leyla Ciaga
Books (Children):
- Saint Spotting (Or How to Read A Church) by Chris Raschka
- You Wouldn't Want to Work On a Medieval Cathedral by Fiona Macdonald
- Cathedral by David Macaulay
- Medieval Cathedral by Fiona Macdonald and John James
- Cathedrals of the World Coloring Book by John Green - these are actual cathedrals, many other 'cathedral' coloring books are either AI generated or not actual cathedrals in the world
Websites:
The Little Pilgrim
Next Up - Amanda's Future Travel Plans
Before the end of 2025 Amanda plans to visit:
- Basilica of Immaculate Conception, Jacksonville, FL
- National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, St. Augustine, FL
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland, ME
- Cathedral of St. Joseph, Manchester, NH
- Cathedral of St. Joseph, Burlington, VT
- Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, MA
Donate - Be part of the pilgrimage!
Be part of the pilgrimage across the country to see every cathedral! Donate below to help offset travel costs, and in return Amanda will pray for your intentions at every cathedral she visits!
