This cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, one of the largest dioceses in the United States. It serves as the episcopal seat of the current Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase J Cupich.

Holy Name Cathedral was dedicated on 21st November, 1875 replacing the Cathedral of St. Mary and the Church of the Holy Name. These had been destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The cathedral was designed by Patrick Charles Keely in the Gothic Revival style. Following the Second Vatican Council, the cathedral commenced a massive and controversial renovation project whereby all the stained glass, oil paintings and marble statuary were removed. The result left a relatively plain room dominated by a six-ton granite altar and Resurrection crucifix.