State and national recognition has also been accorded Newark's majestic Cathedral Church, which was designated an historic landmark by the New Jersey Historical Society in December, 1974. Two years later, on December 22, 1976, national recognition was given the Cathedral through its designation as a National Historic Site.

In 1979, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart celebrated its Silver Jubilee. A sad, double irony touched the Cathedral in the deaths of Archbishop Boland and Monsignor Doyle. Twenty-five years after dedicating the Cathedral the remains of Archbishop Boland came to rest permanently in the crypt chapel In 1989, the remains of Bishop Wigger were taken from Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and placed in the crypt chapel.

Still, the Jubilee was a cause for joy and pride. The Cathedral was able to review a quarter century of religious witness and cultural enrichment to the people of the Newark area and to all the men and women of goodwill who entered its doors and were part of its programs and inspiration.

On July 25, 1986, Most Rev. Theodore E. McCarrick was installed as the fourth Archbishop of Newark at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Before coming to Newark, he had been the founding Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen and an Auxillary Bishop in the Archdiocese of New York. A record 3,100 people attended the installation ceremonies. Since that time the Cathedral has had restorative maintenance work done to the exterior and exterior lights have been installed to highlight nighttime viewing of the Cathedral from all points of the city. Four Archdiocesan priests have been ordained Bishops at the Cathedral since Archbishop McCarrick began leading the Church of Newark.