The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a beloved, eye-catching, and historically significant landmark in the heart of Dallas, Texas, was granted the prestigious designation of a National Shrine by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in September 2023 in response to an initiative by Bishop Edward J. Burns, eighth bishop of the Diocese of Dallas. This significant milestone reflects the Cathedral’s enduring cultural and religious significance within the community and the broader context of the United States.

Now known as the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Cathedral is located in the heart of downtown Dallas and has long been a place of pilgrimage for Catholics, especially Catholics from Mexico and Latin America.

The Cathedral’s stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant community make it a standout landmark, not only in Dallas but throughout the nation. The shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas, and welcomes visitors from all walks of life to experience its beauty and spiritual solace.

The Cathedral’s cornerstone was laid on June 17, 1898. Father Jeffrey A. Hartnett was the pastor at the time. Father Hartnett, a devoted priest and tireless proponent of the Cathedral’s construction, did not live to see the Cathedral’s completion. He died in sacrificial service to the faithful during the 1899 smallpox epidemic. He contracted the disease while attending to the spiritual needs of patients in the city.

On October 26, 1902, the Cathedral was formally dedicated by Bishop Edward Dunne. Constructed out of red brick and limestone and featuring many beautiful stained-glass windows, the architect Nicholas J. Clayton is regarded as the greatest Victorian architect Texas has ever known.