RALEIGH -- Catholics in eastern North Carolina are about to celebrate the completion of a new cathedral that will become the center of the region's religious life.
A dedication mass is scheduled for Wednesday at the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, which is along Western Boulevard.
Meanwhile, Sunday marked the last mass for some at the 95-year-old Sacred Heart Cathedral before the larger cathedral opens.
Parishioners said they are excited to finally step inside the new cathedral after years of construction.
"I think it's going to be nice,” said C.J. Liuzza. “The accessibility and parking will be a whole lot easier for a lot of people. It's going to be able to accommodate a lot more people. I feel like some people may not go on a Sunday because they're running late but this gives them an opportunity not to make that excuse because they have a place to sit."
Holy Name of Jesus will fit 2,000 parishioners while Sacred Heart is the smallest cathedral in the continental United States.