Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist (Savannah, Georgia) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
Location	222 East Harris Street, Lafayette Square, Savannah, Georgia
Country	United States
Denomination	Catholic Church
Website	Savannah Cathedral Website
History
Dedicated	April 30, 1876
Architecture
Architect(s)	Ephraim Francis Baldwin
Style	French Gothic
Administration
Diocese	Savannah

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a beautiful Catholic cathedral and minor basilica located in Savannah, Georgia. It stands proudly near Lafayette Square at 222 East Harris Street. This grand church is the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. It's a very important building in the history of Georgia.

A Look Back: The Cathedral's History
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A Look Back: The Cathedral's History

Early Beginnings for Catholics in Savannah

When Savannah was first founded, its rules made it hard for Roman Catholics to live there. The English leaders worried that Catholics might be more loyal to the Spanish in Florida. But after the American Revolution, these rules changed.

Around 1796, a Catholic community started to grow in Savannah. Many French Catholics came to Savannah in 1799. They were fleeing from Haiti after slave revolts began there in 1791. These new arrivals helped establish the first Catholic church. In the early 1800s, it became a key church for free Black people from Haiti.

Building the Grand Cathedral

The first church building was constructed in 1779. Later, in 1811, the community chose a new spot for a bigger church. This new church was officially opened on April 1, 1839.

In 1850, the Pope created the Diocese of Savannah. This meant Savannah would have its own bishop. Plans for the current, much larger Cathedral began in 1870. The main building was finished and dedicated on April 30, 1876. It was built in a Neo-Gothic style, which looks like old European cathedrals.

Interestingly, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist was the first building in Georgia made entirely of brick. When it was first built, it didn't have its tall spires. These were added later in 1896. At that time, the brick was also covered with stucco and painted white.

The Fire and Rebuilding

A big fire almost destroyed the Cathedral on February 6, 1898. Only the strong walls and the newly added spires were left standing. But the church community was determined to rebuild quickly. They worked hard and were able to celebrate Christmas Mass in the new building by 1899! The nearby church rectory and St. Vincent's Academy were saved because of the wind direction.

The full restoration of the Cathedral took another 13 years. Beautiful Stained glass windows were put in around 1904. These windows tell stories from the Bible and shine with amazing colors.

Modern Updates and Special Status

Over the years, the Cathedral has had several updates. From 1959 to 1965, improvements were made to heating, cooling, and lighting. More work was done in 1984-1985 to strengthen the building's foundation. The most recent major restoration happened from 1998 to 2000. During this time, a new roof was installed, and the inside colors and decorations were brought back to their original beauty.

In 2020, Pope Francis gave the church a special honor. He elevated its status to a "minor basilica." This means it's a church of special importance and has a close connection to the Pope.

The minor basilica proclamation outside the church

Amazing Facts About the Cathedral

This impressive building is 214 feet tall, with its roof reaching 96 feet high. It features 81 stunning stained glass windows that light up the interior. You can also spot 16 gargoyles on the outside! Building it required over 90,000 copper nails and 45,000 slates for the roof. It's a true masterpiece of architecture and a testament to the community's dedication.