Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Savannah, Georgia
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Filled with spirit, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist stands proud on East Harris Street in historic Savannah. Well over a century of heritage lies within the architecture and detailing of the structure which currently serves as the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Inclusive in the Diocese are over ninety county seats in Georgia. Consecrated as a Christian house of worship, the Cathedral offers sixteen services per week with additional time set aside for confessionals each Saturday.
The church, which began as a small wooden building, suffered dismal beginnings. The original colonial charter initially forbade Roman Catholics from establishing a place of worship in Savannah. After the American Revolution, however, the ban was lifted which allowed the original congregation to organize around 1796. Immigrants then began organized worship in 1799 and as the members grew, inspiration for a second church emerged. Some worshippers eventually chose to depart from the original church and a second was dedicated in 1839. Over a quarter century later, construction began on the original Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Diligence and perseverance led to the addition of the two spires, signifying its glorious completion in 1896.
Soon after, tragedy struck when the Cathedral caught fire in the winter of 1898. As the settlers watched, the building burned and was very nearly destroyed. Then Bishop, Thomas A. Becker declared, “The Cathedral must be rebuilt, and as soon as possible.” Preparation to rebuild began almost immediately, and the new Cathedral was dedicated October 28, 1900. Various restoration activities have taken place over the years to include a plaza addition, re-leading of many of the stained glass windows, and the replacement of a slate roof. Once available, modern heating, cooling, and lighting systems were also added, providing a modicum of modern convenience. The wrath of the 1898 fire was followed years later by a hurricane and while the Cathedral did not suffer nearly the damage as before, additional repairs were necessary.
Standing tall, the present day building inhabits a large expanse on Lafayette Square. USA Today Travel lists the St. John Cathedral as one of the “10 Best Sights to See” while in Savannah, Georgia. It is no wonder it received this accolade with features like the extraordinary stained glass windows, murals which are “second to none” and the 9,000 pound altar made of Carrar marble. Renowned as one of the most visually striking buildings in downtown, the Cathedral keenly summons travelers. The façade exhibits two identical, Gothic styled spires which reach into the air, dominating the sky. After several decades of renovation, this matching pair now holds elements of style which intertwine both historical and contemporary architecture ideals.
The Rose Window
originally published July 15, 2013
