Thank you for visiting our web site. We hope you will soon visit us at the cathedral. You will find that we are a diverse congregation, from many neighborhoods. We are bound by the feeling that we find something special when we gather downtown at Fourth and Sycamore.

Worship

REGULAR WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sundays
Services of Holy Communion, 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.
Infant and toddler care is available from 8:00 a.m. to noon each Sunday. A social time with coffee follows the ten o'clock Sunday morning service.

Weekdays
Service of Holy Communion
Wednesdays & Fridays, 12:10 p.m.
(Wednesdays only: June, July & August. Note: No weekday services during the World Choir Games.)

Recent Sermons

See our calendar for upcoming events.

Commonly Asked Questions

What do Episcopalians believe? How is the church organized?
The Episcopal Church is the American province of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide body of over 70 million Christians who trace their origins to the Church of England. Episcopalians are thinking Christians who engage questions of faith with both seriousness and great joy.

Often, The Episcopal Church is called a "bridge church" between Roman Catholicism and Protestant denominations. This is because much Episcopal theology is Protestant in nature, while much of Episcopal worship, spiritual practice, and church structure resemble Catholicism. As a result, those from a variety of backgrounds will find in the Episcopal Church a home that honors their own faith tradition while providing a renewed source of spiritual nourishment.

This supports our belief that every person is a child of God, and created in God's image. We live out that image in a Christian community that supports and nurtures one another. We do ministry within the church, including worship, youth and children's programs, teaching, personal connections, intercessory prayer, retreats, spiritual counseling and hospitality.

Episcopalians describe a common heritage and commitment to the authority of scripture, tradition and reason, sometimes referred to as a "3-legged stool." The first leg is Holy Scripture, which Episcopalians say is "written by people...inspired by the Holy Spirit" (from the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer). Our Old Testament chronicles the relationship between God and Israel. Our New Testament chronicles the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the faith journey of the first generation of disciples. The wisdom that Scripture provides guides our lives.

The second leg is Tradition. Tradition consists of the interpretation of God's purposes by past generations of Christians, their faith and practices. Especially valued are the interpretations offered by early church leaders and councils.

The third leg is Reason. Episcopalians understand that human beings are created in God's image, which includes gifting us with complex, reasoning minds. We honor God's gift when we use our minds to think deeply about God's will, consulting Scripture, Tradition and the myriad ways that God is revealed in the world around us.

This supports our belief that every person is a child of God, and created in God's image. We live out that image in a Christian community that supports and nurtures one another. We do ministry within the church, including worship, youth and children's programs, and teaching.

We also believe God calls us to ministry outside of our church. We engage in feeding programs and provide shelter, we take part in mission trips and provide support to those in need.

The ministers of the church are its people. Some are called into special "ordained" ministry such as bishops, priests and deacons, yet everyone participates in the work, ministry and governance of the church. The word "Episcopal" is derived from the Greek word for bishop. Thus, our very name means that The Episcopal Church is structured around bishops. Episcopal bishops, like bishops in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, trace their authority to the first-century apostles.

Each bishop oversees a geographic area called a diocese. Within a diocese are local congregations called parishes. A parish consists of a body of baptized Christians, often served by an ordained priest and deacon.

Does The Episcopal Church ordain women to be priests?
Yes. The General Convention of The Episcopal Church permitted the ordination of women in 1976. The first women were canonically ordained to the priesthood in 1977. The first female bishop, Barbara Harris, was consecrated in 1989.  In 2006, Katharine Jefferts Schori was elected as the Church's 26th presiding bishop, the church's chief pastor. 

What is the worship service like and how long does it last?
Worship of God is the foundation of our community; it is beautiful, dignified and celebratory. Each Sunday we gather round a table with bread and wine to celebrate his risen presence among us. Our faith and practice are grounded in the words of our baptismal covenant.

Our beliefs are formed in our worship, and in working for social justice and peace. We are a diverse church, united in common prayer and in our commitment to "seek and serve Christ in all persons." Sermons delve into scripture, ask hard questions and inspire commitment to helping those in need.

The Book of Common Prayer is an important part of Episcopal life and worship. Many are drawn to the Prayer Book's ancient beauty which includes a wealth of prayers and liturgies for virtually every occasion. It serves as a way to center our lives in Christ. We gather week by week to hear the Word of God proclaimed, thanking God for the gifts in our lives, the wisdom we find in prayer and the help we find when troubled.

Since our founding, the people of Christ Church Cathedral have encountered the holiness, transcendence and glory of God through the gift of sacred music. Music is an integral part of the spiritual life and rhythm of our congregation, guiding and welcoming the people of God in the central actions of our liturgy and prayers.

Long noted for fine organ and choral music in the Anglican tradition, our music ministry contributes richly to the spiritual and cultural life of our cathedral community as we seek to be a House of Prayer for All People, a cathedral for our diocese, and a church in the heart of the city of Cincinnati.

What is a cathedral?
In the Episcopal Church, a cathedral is the central church of a diocese, the bishop's church. Christ Church Cathedral is a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Where are you located?

View Larger Map

On Sundays, enter by way of Fourth Street or Sycamore Street. On weekdays, enter on Fourth Street between Sycamore and Broadway. There is parking on the street, as well as across the street from the cathedral at Queen City Square Garage. Enter on Fourth Street between Sycamore and Broadway. We are handicap accessible.

When is the cathedral open?
Sundays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Summer hours: 6:30 p.m. closing)
Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

How may I reach a member of the clergy?
You may call the main church office telephone number at 513.621.1817 during regular business hours. You may also contact the priests at the cathedral individually through email. 

Where can I find more information?
We invite you to explore our web site for full details about our church community and other worship and programming opportunities. 

In addition, here are other links you may find helpful:

Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio

Forward Movement

Prayer Chapel

Navigating the website: To get back to the home page, from this page and any other, click the Christ Church Cathedral logo in the upper left corner. On the home page, you can enter the Faith, Action, Community sections by clicking on the top of the "portals." If you're looking for something specific, use the search engine.