Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati

What Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati does

Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati is a historic Episcopal cathedral and non-profit religious institution founded in 1817 by missionary Rev. Philander Chase, William Henry Harrison, and Dr. Daniel Drake at 318 East 4th Street in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The organization was formally incorporated in Ohio in 1820, moved to its current location in 1835, and was consecrated as the cathedral for the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio in 1993, succeeding St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral. It serves as the institutional seat for a diocese of 71 churches with more than 18,000 members across Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and southern Ohio. The cathedral operates an 18-person staff under Dean The Very Reverend Owen C. Thompson, the first African American Dean in its history, appointed in 2021.

The cathedral's core offerings span worship services (5 weekly formats including 8am, 10am, and noon Sundays), comprehensive sacramental services (baptism, confirmation, weddings, funerals), and an extensive music ministry anchored by the Cathedral Choir, youth choirs, the Chorister Program, the Queen City Street Choir, and a 2021-installed Richard, Fowkes & Co. Opus 24 organ. Adjacent programs include the Taft Lecture Series, Community Issues Forum, Dean's Forum, the Holy Chaos podcast, contemplative Spirituality + Imagination programs (Sycamore Gardens, Terra Divina), Summer Music Camp, and Peaceable Kingdom children's formation. Community outreach comprises the 5000 Club food ministry serving approximately 175 meals weekly to those experiencing homelessness, a Saturday blessing bag distribution, the Soul Goods gift shop (100% of profits to equity work), a debt forgiveness program partnering with local agencies, the Native American Ministry Council (active since 1984), and the LGBTQ+ Alliance Ministry. Technology stack is limited to the Realm church management platform for administration, member connectivity, and online giving, plus YouTube livestreaming of the 10am Sunday service.

The business model is non-profit and donor-funded. Worship services carry no admission fees; revenue is generated from annual member pledges, online giving via Realm, Soul Goods retail proceeds (supporting equity initiatives), summer music camp tuition ($75/child, $50/sibling with need-based scholarships), community grants of $1,500–$6,000 awarded to partner organizations, and external funding such as The Charles P. and Eleanor Taft Memorial Fund for the lecture series. Distribution is primarily in-person at the Cincinnati site with a global online extension via YouTube livestream and podcast, and a regional concert series (Music Live at Lunch) free to the public each Tuesday. The cathedral explicitly positions itself as "a cathedral for the city with the heart of a parish," integrating traditional Episcopal liturgy with progressive social justice advocacy, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and racial-equity ministry.

Name

Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati

Legal name

Christ Church Cathedral

Website

https://cincinnaticathedral.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1817

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati is a historic Episcopal cathedral founded in 1817, serving as the seat of the Diocese of Southern Ohio's 71 churches. It delivers weekly worship, sacraments, music programs, community outreach, and social justice initiatives for Cincinnati-area congregants and the broader public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB), Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Episcopal worship services
• Sacramental ministry
• Community outreach
• Religious music programs
• Food ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati is an Episcopal cathedral providing weekly worship services, sacramental ministries (baptism, weddings, funerals, confirmation), sacred music programs, faith formation for children and youth, and community outreach initiatives including the 5000 Club food ministry and equity-focused social programs. It serves as the cathedral for the Diocese of Southern Ohio and operates an on-site gift shop (Soul Goods) whose proceeds support equity initiatives.

Product overview

Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati is an Episcopal cathedral offering a comprehensive portfolio of worship, educational, musical, and community outreach programs. The core offerings center on multiple weekly worship services (traditional, choral, and modern expressions), comprehensive music programs including the Cathedral Choir and summer music camp, sacramental services (baptism, confirmation, weddings, funerals), and diverse outreach ministries such as the 5000 Club food ministry. The Cathedral also provides digital engagement through livestream services, the Holy Chaos podcast, and Realm church management platform. Additional programs include the Taft Lecture Series, Community Issues Forum, LGBTQ+ Alliance, Native American Ministry Council, and Soul Goods gift shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Worship Services Multiple weekly worship services held in Episcopal tradition, including traditional liturgy, full choral liturgy, and modern liturgical expression, offered to individuals and families seeking spiritual community.
• Holy Baptism Services Holy Baptism celebrations including infant, child, and adult baptism preparation, offered to families and individuals seeking sacramental initiation in the Episcopal Church.
• Wedding Services Christian marriage celebrations at the Cathedral, including LGBTQ+ marriage equality celebrations, with marriage intake forms and customary fees, for couples seeking Episcopal wedding ceremonies.
• Funeral and Memorial Services Funeral liturgies celebrating Easter promise, including planning forms, sample services, music selection guides, and Columbarium inurnment services, offered to families of the deceased.
• Music Programs Comprehensive music ministry including Cathedral Choir, Children & Youth Choir, Queen City Street Choir, Christ Church Singers, Chorister Program for grades 3-6, and High School Choral Scholars and Organ Scholar programs, serving choir members and the broader Cincinnati community.
• 5000 Club Food Ministry Weekly food ministry serving approximately 175 meals per week to those in need in the neighborhood, including individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Soul Goods Gift Shop Gift shop offering books, apparel, health and beauty items, home decor, baby items, and faith-based gifts, with 100% of profits supporting equity work.
• Taft Lecture Series Annual lecture series featuring provocative thinkers, writers, theologians, social justice activists, and community leaders in religion, arts, politics, and social science.
• Realm Church Management Platform Online ministry tool for church record keeping, real-time member connection, giving management, and community engagement between Sundays, used by congregation members.
• Holy Chaos Podcast Podcast hosted by Dean Owen Thompson and Father Brian Blayer featuring in-depth interviews with local community champions of social justice and compassionate outreach.
• Livestream Worship Services Live streaming of 10am Sunday services and special events via YouTube, with downloadable service bulletins, for remote attendees and broader community access.
• Native American Ministry Council Ministry active since 1984 supporting Native American societies, cultural sustainability, spiritual growth, and theological development of leadership.
• Debt Forgiveness Program (Jubilee) Program partnering with local agencies serving families at risk of homelessness due to unpaid utility, housing, or medical bills.
• LGBTQ+ Alliance Ministry Monthly happy hours, Divine Youth Group co-sponsorship, and fellowship activities for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies seeking affirming community.
• Summer Music Camp Annual summer music camp for children ages 8-14 featuring singing, instruments, art creation, faith exploration, and field trips, with need-based scholarships available.
• Music Live at Lunch Concert Series Free weekly concert series featuring local artists, held each Tuesday, providing community engagement and inspiring music for Cincinnati residents and visitors.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Collegium CincinnatiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollegium Cincinnati is an ensemble in residence at Christ Church Cathedral. The vibrant musical organization presents concerts featuring singers and instrumentalists led by artistic director Matthew Phelps, which are made possible in part by generous contributions to Christ Church Cathedral's Friends of Music Fund.
• Diocese of Southern OhiocoreOthers

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Washington National Cathedral: The Episcopal cathedral in Washington, D.C. and seat of the Diocese of Washington; directly comparable to Christ Church as a large, historic Episcopal cathedral with extensive music programming, civic programming, and community outreach at scale.
• The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine: The Episcopal cathedral in New York City and seat of the Diocese of New York; comparable as a major Episcopal cathedral with a progressive theological orientation, extensive music and arts programming, and significant social justice outreach.
• Trinity Church Wall Street: A historic Episcopal parish in Lower Manhattan with substantial endowment, music programs, and progressive social justice initiatives; comparable to Christ Church in Episcopal identity, civic engagement, and digital/programmatic reach.
• Grace Cathedral: The Episcopal cathedral of the Diocese of California in San Francisco; comparable as a progressive Episcopal cathedral with robust music programming, social justice outreach, and a national profile for inclusive theology.
• St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral: The Episcopal cathedral of the Diocese of Olympia in Seattle; comparable as a progressive Episcopal cathedral known for inclusive theology, music programs, and community engagement.
• The Riverside Church: A historic progressive interdenominational church in New York City; comparable to Christ Church in its progressive theological stance, social justice programming, music tradition, and civic engagement, though not Episcopal.
• Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal), NYC: A historic progressive Episcopal parish in Manhattan's Upper East Side; comparable as an inclusive Episcopal congregation with music tradition and social justice orientation in an urban setting.

Regional players

• Calvary Church (St. Paul's Episcopal): A large historic Episcopal parish in Pittsburgh; comparable as a regional Episcopal congregation with music, social outreach, and progressive Episcopal identity, though not a diocesan cathedral seat.
• St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral (Indianapolis): The Episcopal cathedral of the Diocese of Indianapolis; comparable as a Midwestern Episcopal cathedral with music programs and community outreach serving a similar urban context.

Broad incumbents

• Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio: The governing diocesan body of which Christ Church Cathedral is the seat; directly comparable as the institutional context governing 71 churches and 18,000+ members across southern Ohio, and the structural parent of the cathedral.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cincinnaticathedral/streams

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati