St Peter In Chains Cathedral

My husband and I attended the 3pm Christmas Eve Mass here for the first time this past week. We were lucky enough to find a nearby parking spot, but it’s a good thing that my aunt got there early and saved seats because this place was absolutely packed! There were seven of us in all and we weren’t able to sit together due to the crowd. There were added seats along the sides and I’m pretty sure that every single one was taken.
The mass was lovely the inside of the church was beautiful. It’s very different from any Catholic church I’ve visit — very Roman. Lots of red, black and gold leaf.

Wen I went to this church usually at midnight mass it seemed very majestical. The church was nice if you like old incense odors that nearly make you gag. The music was traditional and sounded good, but gets old. Sing to the Lord a new song. Its always the same stuff.
They seem to preach religion. Specifically manly religion. If your not of the male gender, you cannot really engage to your desired potential. Preaching is extremely contradicting and confusing. It’s same ritual every week… after week… after week.
People seem to dress as if it were some sort of a fashion show. Seating is very uncomfortable. The teachings are one way and do not meet people where they are in their journey. It confuses me that it is ok to be gay, a porn addict and still able to hold positions in this church just for being of the male gender.
Priests cant seem to get a message across that relates to anything we are going through in todays world. I could never seem to find anything emersive or ways to engage. Clergy wear robes, expensive rings, funny looking hats that don’t seem to be very Christ like. There is so much wasteful spending on foolishness like gold chalices, crosses, statues, burning candles, archbishops defense fund for pedophile priests… but little to invest into churchgoers experiences. Teachings seem inconsistent with what is actually in the bible. The mass is all reciting and repetitious. Nothing to connect or build on. For me there was nothing challenging for spiritual growth. And what’s with praying to statues?
While I still like some of the old traditional hymns, they sound so much more meaningful when rocked up and put to an upbeat tone. This church seems blah, blah, blah when it comes to music and wanting to pray through song.
If you are of the male gender, this church is like a club or fraternity for you. There is still something mystifying about that midnight mass, but the Awaited really tells the entire story without putting me to sleep.
None of my questions were ever answered in my involvement with this church and religion. I left this church totally unfulfilled in my journey to be a true Christ follower.
Since I have left this organized religion and started attending a real church for real people, doubt has been replaced with faith and understanding. I feel free to keep seeking, exploring and growing in my journey with Christ. Change was the key for me. Recently I was baptized again as an adult.
Catholioc churches are pretty if you like statues, mosaics, gold stuff, alters and recitals. Some of the old hymns are still nice. I find this church and others like it, uncomfortable both physically and spiritually.

Beautiful architecture, acoustics and tradition. I’m not Catholic but I attend many of the musical performances here (psst… most are free!) and most recently, their Christmas midnight mass. If you have the time walk around and marvel at the old school European look and feel. I think my only complaint about the place is the wooden pews that offer no cushion for my buns. And while you’re in the area, check out another beautiful building right across the street, no not the parking garage, the Isaac M. Wise Temple.
Trivia: The limestone tower is 220 ft tall. The cathedral was dedicated in 1845.

Really, a review for a Church on Unilocal?Yep…
Holy places are off limits for interweb reviews in my book, but I’ll make an exception for St Peter in Chains. This is by far one of the most unique churches in the city, in the Mid-​West, heck even the Country.
Its exterior is of the Greek Revival style and gives off the presence of a Greek Temple infused with Independence Hall. As beautiful as the exterior is, the real treasures of this Church are located on the inside.
This is the only Catholic Church that I have seen that literally looks like a Greek Temple. You are greeted with tall, decorative columns that lead all the way to what at first feels like it should be a statue of Zeus, but instead it is a modern mosaic depicting Jesus and St Peter. Even better in my opinion are the Stations of the Cross on the walls and the murals near the roof, both look like art found on the side of Grecian urns. In addition the dark wood coupled with the sleek dark marble give off an almost Mad Men vibe, granted significant restoration work was done in the 1950’s so it makes sense.
If you have some extra time or are bored/​curious, give ‘em a call and schedule a tour. I actually had a chance to go on a tour with some others after a pizza social after the 6pm Mass. We got an in depth tour that explained the history of the building and its many contents. There is also unique collection in the back of the church that houses many items from the Archdioceses history, including a carriage for a former Bishop.
For history buffs and Cincyphiles it would behoove you to take a peek inside sometime. For those of you who might fit those descriptions, or not, and are also Catholic, its also a great place to celebrate Mass. The church is open daily with frequent Mass times. There is also a lot next to the church, which is free on Sundays.

I’ve only been here for concerts. Parking isn’t terrible around the area. It’s quite spectacular inside in terms of appearances. The wood pews are, as expected, very uncomfortable, especially for longer concerts. They only had the downstairs bathrooms open which was a bit of an adventure, but the facilities were cool because of the age and extreme ornateness.
I found the acoustics too echoey for my taste. It definitely diminished the overall experience of the concert. I can’t see myself going for any other reason, so, I have to give them lower marks because it wouldn’t be a top location choice for concerts for me.

I was confirmed at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral downtown years ago and have been back since for weddings and Easter mass, on occasion.
The beauty of St. Peters is really overwhelming. I’m not one to be in awe over religious-​themed art but… wow. As Alexandra mentioned, the main color of the Cathedral is gold. What is unknown to many is that the gold overlay that covers a lot of the church is actually real, 24 karat, glittering precious metal. It’s incredible.
The architecture is stately and classic and made of gorgeous white limestone.
Even if you aren’t Catholic, the Cathedral is worth touring for ascetic and artistic value. The mosaic behind the alter is the largest of it’s kind in the United States!

Now I’m not a religious person, but I’ve frequented a lot of churches in the city from musical performances. This one one of Cincinnati’s most beautiful churches and cathedrals.
Located right next to City Hall in downtown, this church has a unique beauty that is unlike any other church I’ve seen before. The main sanctuary area is gigantic. The ceiling and accents of the walls are covered in golden inlays. On each side are beautiful columns that really frame the space.
The altar is so big and offers a perfect amount of space for a 200 person chorus to stand with a piano. Behind the altar is a giant mosaic of Jesus that also has gold in it. The entire space just glitters with gold, literally.
This cathedral is often one of the venues for the Fine Arts Fund Sampler weekend. You can often see various music performances here. I have had the privilege of performing here as well. The acoustics are astounding!