Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Cathedral of the Holy Cross
4.5
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Address
Neighbourhood: South End
Stroll down the beautiful brownstone lined streets while capturing views of Boston’s tallest buildings from a distance. Some of Boston’s best restaurants are scattered around this neighborhood. There are many gems to be found, from jazz clubs to classy bars and restaurants. It is also home to art galleries, interesting boutiques, artsy stores and SOWA open market during the summer months. The South End is a true find in the city, with a more residential feeling than Back Bay.
How to get there
- Union Park St • 1 min walk
- Shawmut • 7 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
32 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
12
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Dymphna T
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
Traditional Latin Mass on Sunday mornings at 10 AM. Confession with Latin absolution. Very enriching homilies from Fr. Taurasi. Communion only on the tongue. A tremendous blessing and gift from God, and my treasure on Earth. Lower Cathedral on the right passed the statue of Our Lady. Gregorian choir and beautiful community. Coffee hour after mass. Very family friendly. I love it all so dearly.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cristoph2010
Toronto1,349 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Beautiful but not over the top. The stained glasses are nice. Check out the side chapel to the side. There's a relic of the True Cross. At the back, you'll find a chair that Pope John Paul II used during his visit.
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candace F
Fort Worth, TX81 contributions
This is a beautiful cathedral. Mass was in the chapel when I was there. We walked around the cathedral after mass and it was one of the most beautiful places I've seen.
Written November 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elcentro1
Pittsburgh, PA232 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
As you may know, the Boston area has a large Catholic population. So when I decided that I was visiting Boston, I wanted to check out the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, which is the main cathedral of the Archdiocese of Boston. They have a gift shop there, but it is only open until 1:30pm, and I did not get there in time, the day I went. This is an old-time church completed in 1875. All I can say is that it is an absolutely beautiful cathedral, with beautiful statues, stained-glass windows, and some paintings, which honor Our Lord, Our Lady Mary, and the saints. The Catholic population of the greater Boston area should be proud to have such an exquisite cathedral for their archdiocese.
Written September 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigMerk
Glasgow, UK2,709 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
I visited here for mass on Saturday evening. There is a decent amount of parking on street including meters (a dollar in quarters should be enough).
Sadly the cathedral is in course of renovation so mass was in the Chapel of Our Lady which is underneath the cathedral. The ceiling was quite low, but the chapel is very ornate with great wood carvings on the walls behind the altar and it's quite atmospheric.
From the outside the cathedral looks great -fantastic architecture. Not sure when the works are due to end but you should check before you visit.
Sadly the cathedral is in course of renovation so mass was in the Chapel of Our Lady which is underneath the cathedral. The ceiling was quite low, but the chapel is very ornate with great wood carvings on the walls behind the altar and it's quite atmospheric.
From the outside the cathedral looks great -fantastic architecture. Not sure when the works are due to end but you should check before you visit.
Written August 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GypsyDrifter
Fort Worth, TX108 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
Beautiful Cathedral with ornate details. The stained glass windows & organ are impressive. Service is about to start :)..
May The Lord Be With You,
K
May The Lord Be With You,
K
Written April 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
California418 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
We attended Mass on Sunday last month and had the pleasure of meeting Sean Cardinal O'Malley, the celebrant. He was gracious and even posed for pictures with us. If you are Catholic, this is a big deal so I recommend it. Incidentally, there are up to nine Masses each Sunday, some in different languages and in different chapels. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to walk through the Holy Door during this Jubilee Year.
I always recommend, however, that even non-Catholics visit the beautiful and historic Churches, wherever they may be. Often this is where you find the best architecture and the most history, and Holy Cross is no exception. The architecture is breathtaking and the pipe organ is unbelievable.
There, of course, is a gift shop with the usual items: rosaries (some patriotic and baseball-themed), prayer cards, etc. In a charming Boston moment, the gentleman in the gift shop had the Patriots game on.
Parking is at a premium! Boston offers free parking at their meters on Sunday, so that is nice. Outside of that, a lot of the neighboring side streets are for residents only. There are some nearby lots which offer parking at a pretty fair price.
I always recommend, however, that even non-Catholics visit the beautiful and historic Churches, wherever they may be. Often this is where you find the best architecture and the most history, and Holy Cross is no exception. The architecture is breathtaking and the pipe organ is unbelievable.
There, of course, is a gift shop with the usual items: rosaries (some patriotic and baseball-themed), prayer cards, etc. In a charming Boston moment, the gentleman in the gift shop had the Patriots game on.
Parking is at a premium! Boston offers free parking at their meters on Sunday, so that is nice. Outside of that, a lot of the neighboring side streets are for residents only. There are some nearby lots which offer parking at a pretty fair price.
Written November 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rugbynugget
Nottingham, UK387 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Nice Cathedral which is partly being renovated at present. There is no charge for entry which is a bonus. Masses at various times of the day.
Written October 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mitzi D
Maurice, Louisiana76 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
The gentleman in the gift shop was great and really made our experience a plus! Please stop to see the beauty of the amazing church and talk to the gentleman in the gift shop ... he knows great eating places!
Written October 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pete
Daytona Beach, FL459 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
At the present time the Church is under renovation and has been gutted out but We got a private tour from the Keely Society. Our Family installed the Stained Glass windows in the Church back in the 1870's. Leo who plays the Organ also played the Grand Organ for us. It was our first time visiting the Church and with a personal connection to its construction ,it will be a memory that will last forever
Written September 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Edward. What would you like to know about this attraction? When will it reopen
Written May 14, 2018
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