As the ecclesiastical center for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart will pay homage to the traditions of the past even as it serves as a foundation for the future. In initiating this project, Bishop Fiorenza desired to provide a cathedral for the ages--a cathedral deep in both spiritual and artistic expression that would invite people to a spirit of praise and worship to the majesty of a loving God.

Located in the vibrant and revitalized southern central business district of downtown Houston, the Cathedral will augment the city's already spectacular skyline. The Cathedral will occupy an entire city block, with two additional contiguous blocks combining to create a new landmark: Cathedral Square. The master plan for the three-block property provides for the creation of a grand, landscape plaza that will anchor the site and dramatically enhance the entrance to the Cathedral itself.

When the plans for this Cathedral were presented to Pope John Paul II, he affirmed its importance by saying, "Yes, Houston needs a big cathedral."

			Fact Sheet: Building Materials • The structure will form a cross in the traditional manner of European cathedrals. • The new Co-Cathedral will seat 1,820 people with space for 200 additional chairs. • There are about 8,000 cubic yards of concrete in the cathedral. That is a little more than three football fields. • That's enough to pour a four-foot wide sidewalk from the cathedral to The Woodlands (going north) or to League City (going south). • The weight of 8,000 cubic yards of concrete is 32,400,000 pounds. • There are about 250 tons of steel in the cathedral That is almost half a million pounds. • The dome weighs about 80,000 lbs. It was constructed on the ground and lifted into place March 31, 2006, standing 117 feet tall.
	Architect: Ziegler Cooper Cost: Confidential Size: 37,660 SF