Address: 222 E Harris St, Savannah, GA 31401

Website: https://savannahcathedral.org/

Overview
The High Victorian Gothic (some call French Gothic) Cathedral and its twin towers have been a prominent part of the Savannah skyline since its dedication on April 30, 1876. The planning for the current structure was initiated by Bishop Ignatius Persico in 1870, but he did not see the completion due to ill health – he is commemorated in a stained glass window. The project was finished by Bishop William Gross who laid the cornerstone on November 19, 1873 (read more in the Interesting Facts section). It has undergone more than one restoration including a nearly complete rebuild (which took nearly fourteen years to finish) after a fire on February 6, 1898. The popular tourist destination is in the heart of Savannah, adjacent to Lafayette Square, and home to a vibrant parish.

Special things to see in the Church
• The Cathedral is filled with spectacular stained glass windows made in Europe by the Tyrolese Art Glass Company and many are signed with “TGA, Innsbruck”. The subjects are painted in the pictorial style enclosed by elaborate canopies, topped with liturgical symbolism and most include a dedication or memorial. The windows in the apse above the high altar depict scenes from the life of the patron (from left to right): St. John the Baptist pointing out of Jesus as the Promised Messiah; The Baptism of Jesus on the River Jordan; and St. John the Baptist preaching the Baptism of Penance. Each of the 5-lancet transept windows depict a Glorious Mystery: The Ascension and the Assumption. The nave walls are lined with images of Jesus and the saints special to the parish. Another stained glass designer of the period, Franz Mayer of Munich has signed windows in the tower vestibule.

• The Cathedral has been called, the “Sistine of the South” because of the many murals adorning the walls. The murals were planned and directed by Savannah artist Christopher P.H. Murphy. Within the sanctuary are paintings of the four evangelists (Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Two of the most visible paintings are above the side altars: Jesus preaching His Sermon on the Mount (north) and Pentecost (south). There are over fifty other images grouped to depict attributes such as: Doctors of the Church; Founders of Religious Orders; Notable Women; Kings; Martyrs and Virgin Martyrs.

• The new main altar was installed as part of the 1998-2000 restoration. It is made of Italian Carrara marble and is inscribed with “Beati Qui Ad Cenam Agni Vocati Sunt” (“Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb”) Revelation 19:9.

• Side altars honor St. Joseph, The Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Crucifixion (formerly the St. Anthony altar) with marble altars. The Blessed Mother chapel also has a marble altar and contains one of the only three stained glass windows that survived the 1898 fire.

Interesting Facts About the Church
There have been three church buildings associated with the Catholic community in Savannah which originated in the late 1700’s; and the church as had four titles. The original parish of Haitian and French immigrants was called, “The Congregation de Saint Jean-Baptiste.” In 1850, the Diocese of Savannah was erected, and the fifth leader of the diocese, Bishop William H. Gross of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (“the Redemptorists”) led the construction of the present Cathedral. At the laying of the cornerstone of the present Cathedral, the church was dedicated to “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, the patroness of the Bishop’s former assignment in Roxbury, MA (Also, the Redemptorist’s were entrusted in 1866 to care for the ancient icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help). The church retained this title for about ten years until it was renamed with the name approved in Rome, “The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.” The official name of the church is now “The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist” as in January 2020, Pope Francis issued a decree granting the title of “Minor Basilica.”