Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude (Phoenix, Arizona)
Church in Arizona, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States. As of 2025, the rector of the cathedral is Monsignor Matthew Henry.
| Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location in Arizona  Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude (Phoenix, Arizona) (the United States) | |
| 33°31′47″N 112°06′58″W | |
| Location | 6351 North 27th Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85017 |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Founded | May 15, 1953 |
| Dedication | |
| Dedicated | December 11, 1966 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Modern |
| Completed | 1966 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | One |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Phoenix |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop | Most Rev. John P. Dolan |
| Rector | Very Rev. Matthew Henry |
History
Saints Simon and Jude Church
On May 15, 1953, Bishop Daniel Gercke erected Saints Simon and Jude parish. At that time, the Phoenix area was still under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Tucson.[1] Smith celebrated masses in the Maryland School, a primary school in Phoenix, while building a church. That structure was dedicated on October 17, 1954.[1]
By the 1960's the explosive growth of the Phoenix area necessitated the building of a larger church. The second Saints Simon and Jude Church was dedicated on December 11, 1966.[1]
Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral
In 1969, Pope Paul VI erected the Diocese of Phoenix and elevated Saints Simon and Jude Church to Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral.[1]
Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass at the cathedral on September 14, 1987, during his papal visit to the United States. In 1989, Mother Teresa spoke at Saints Simon and Jude on the occasion of establishing a branch of the Missionaries of Charity in Phoenix.[1]
In 2016, the parish installed a new 51-rank pipe organ built by the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company of Paterson, New Jersey. It was the first pipe organ in the cathedral.[2] In early 2021, the diocese closed Sts. Simon and Jude for its first renovation. New flooring and pews were installed in the nave, along with an hydraulic system for the kneelers to reduce their noise. The walls were repainted and the confessionals updated. The cathedral reopened in October 2021.[3]
As of 2026, the rector of the cathedral is Reverend Matthew Henry and the cathedral is overseen by the bishop of Phoenix, Bishop John P. Dolan. The auxiliary bishop is Bishop Eduardo Alanis Nevares.
Campus
The Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral School is located adjacent to the cathedral, along with the Mary Ward House.
Standing in front of the cathedral is a large cross over a dome-like structure. The crosst stood over the temporary altar where John Paul II celebrated mass in 1987.
Rectors
- Reverend Paul P. Smith, 1953 – unknown
- Reverend Michael McGovern, unknown – 1987
- Monsignor Richard Moyer, 1987 – 1990
- Monsignor Michael O'Grady, 1990 – 2005
- Reverend Robert Clements, 2005 – 2010
- Very Reverend John Lankeit, 2010 – 2021
- Very Reverend Fernando Camou, 2021 – 2024[4]
- Very Reverend Matthew Henry, 2024 –[5]
Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral School
Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral School is located on the cathedral property. It teaches pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and is staffed by the Sisters of Loreto.[6]The school was founded in 1954 by Bishop Daniel Gercke and Rector Paul Smith. On August 20, 1954, four Sisters of Loreto from the Sisters of Loretto arrived from Navan, Ireland to staff the new school.[1]
- Cathedral images
Chancel, Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude (2013)
Rear gallery, Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude (2013)
Altar, Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude (2013)
Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude (2013
