Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul

Designed in 1846, the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul is modeled after the Lombard Church of St. Charles (San Carlo al Corso) in Rome. It took approximately 18 years to build the Roman-Corinthian style church, with its completion occurring in 1864.
Philadelphia was granted the opportunity to build this magnificent structure after the city hosted the 41st International Eucharistic Congress. It became a basilica in 1976.

This brownstone cathedral measures more than 250' in length, 136' in width, and 101'6"in height (76 x 41 x 31m). The copper dome atop the church adds another 60 feet (28m), with an additional 11 feet of 3.3 meter height for the gold cross that sits atop the dome.

Four Corinthian-style columns grace the exterior of the cathedral. Nearby are four magnificent statues: the Sacred Heart, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Saints Peter and Paul. The main doors and handrails are fashioned from bronze, part of a renovation that occurred within the past 50 years.

Inside, the cathedral is cross-shaped, with 80 foot vaulted ceilings, and seats 1,240 people in its walnut pews. Exploring the interior, you’ll find that the underside of the dome is designed in mosaics and the canopy over the altar is made from fine antique Italian marble. Six additional marble columns soar 40 feet high and are set into the curved wall of the apse.

The stained glass windows, especially the large center window dedicated to the Eucharist, are breathtaking and the mosaic murals on the rear wall, set in place to commemorate the 100th anniversary (1975) of Philadelphia as an archdiocese, are equally as stunning.

Under the main altar sits a crypt that contains the remains of most of the bishops and archbishops of Philadelphia. Other prominent area clergymen are buried there as well.

The cathedral is easy to spot on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway and is within easy walking distance of several other landmarks and attractions, including the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Franklin Institute Science Center.

The Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul holds five masses each weekday and more on the weekends. Visitors are always welcome. Occasional concerts are also performed at the cathedral.