The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

A beautiful mini Basilica filled with lots of art- paintings, windows, and statues. Our teenagers were amazed. We attended the 10 am mass on Sunday and felt welcomed. There was street parking, incense was burned at this mass time (which is announced on their website), and we went to the coffee shop across the street after- (it was packed!). Definitely a must see Cathedral if in Savannah!

Highly recommend visiting! A must-see on your trip to Savannah. It is absolutely gorgeous and so peaceful. Stunning architecture inside and out. There are areas inside for prayer and candle lighting. You can come and go as you please. There are guides in there to answer questions or give more information if needed. I will be back again.

Spiritually Stunning and Surprisingly Fun I wasn’t sure if I was walking into a cathedral or a basilica — turns out it’s both, and it’s absolutely breathtaking. The moment you step inside, the soaring ceilings, intricate stained glass, and peaceful energy just stop you in your tracks. I genuinely wasn’t prepared for how astonishing it would be. The people inside were incredibly kind and informative — not in a pushy tour-guide way, just genuinely happy to share the history and beauty of the place. They answered questions, pointed out details I would’ve missed, and made the whole experience feel personal. One highlight? I saw the baptismal pool where they actually dunk babies! I don’t know what I expected, but seeing it up close added such a human, meaningful touch to this already grand space. Whether you’re religious or just someone who appreciates art, architecture, or peaceful places, this is a must-visit in Savannah. It’s more than just a stop — it’s an experience.

A place of serenity and breathtaking beauty! The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a masterpiece of ancient architecture, with intricate stained-glass windows and awe-inspiring interiors that transport you to another era. The peaceful atmosphere makes it perfect for quiet reflection and appreciation of its historical significance. Entry is free, but a $3 donation is suggested to help maintain this stunning landmark. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply seeking a moment of peace, this cathedral is a must-visit!

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John is magnificent. As soon as you walk up you can see the detail that went into the construction. Once inside it is breath taking. It is 1 of only 19 in the entire us that has the Cathedral Basilica designation. Truly a must see.

Absolutely beautiful church. We visited at the recommendation our trolley driver and we were not disappointed. We were in awe and enjoyed the detailed scenes of the twelve stations of the cross.

Beautiful! It's under construction at the entrance, but inside is very majestic and regal. It requires reverence and awe. I felt as if I had stepped into a church in Europe, which I've never been but imagine.

Words can’t even express how beautiful this cathedral is inside. We visited in a Sunday at 1:00 pm and were able to walk right in. They close daily for mass and you can find the times in their website. After that you’re free to walk in and look around. They have signs posted suggesting a donation amount but it was very minimal. They accept additional donations to light a candle at the altar. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and easily could have spent so much more time inside admiring all the beauty. A must see if you visit Savannah. Also a plus that the tour trolleys stop right outside the entrance.

Cathedral of Baptist St. John Catholic Church Fontanini nativity $3 per person Dec 2024 Place of worship

The congregation of St. John the Baptist dates back to the late 18th century when folks fleeing revolutions in Haiti and France arrived in the area. The cathedral was built in the 1850s, but much of the structure was lost to fire in 1898. The stunning building has a rich history, and has enjoyed many presevation and restoration efforts over the years. Facing Lafayette Square, the Cathedral marks a perfect location to set off on foot to discover the South Historic District. There are so many gorgeous squares and historic homes in this area worth viewing, including the famous Mercer Williams House on Monterey Square. Fans of the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt know this home well! During my last visit, the cathedral was requesting a $3 entry fee to view the interior, though it wasn't being strictly enforced. The building is remarkable, inside and out, and definitely worth a visit!

This is a must see if you enjoy churches or amazing architecture. I made a stop during the hop on hop off tour of Savannah and the beauty of this historic basilica was awe inspiring. I caught a great talk by the docent of the church and learned so much about the history. Every part of this place is grand and beautiful. Absolutely def recommend!!

This was a beautiful cathedral that I'm glad we were able to make a quick stop inside while in Savannah. We had just got back from Ireland so it was nice to see the Irish symbols throughout. We really liked the prayer intent ribbon project outside. Its a great cause and made sure to tie a ribbon on in every color!

A beautiful cathedral that is very spacious inside with high ceilings. Beautiful architecture and designs throughout the structure. A cool stop and sight to see. The cathedral was easy to get to and park.

When we visited Savannah we visited the Basilica and were very impressed. The Church was as beautiful as those that you would see in Europe. We had our service dog with us and although the sign outside allowed service dogs the staff seemed confused to this point. We showed them and thanked them they let us go in. I bet not many people tour with a service dog but he is trained and is excellent anywhere he is taken. I am glad we visited the Basilica because it was just beautiful.

Beautiful Church and beautiful Christmas Day service. Regular congregation members and Clergy were very welcoming to the large number of out of town visitors who attended this Mass.

It's a must see when you visit Savannah comparable to large cathedrals of Europe. We enjoyed walking through and seeing all of the artwork, stained glass work. The guard told us we could not bring our service dog in even the sign said service dogs welcome. The old guy at the desk did not like that we brought him in, commenting that "he's awful big and there are kids in here". I explained that dog is trained, has his id, and there would be no problems and there wasn't

Great service. They have an elevator from the street to the sanctuary for handicapped people. You may have to walk to get a parking spot for Sunday service. If you are interested in the history of the church, come during the week. You can tour the sanctuary and look at the beautiful stained glass windows and statues.

Absolutely magnificent cultural building. Every aspect of the church holds beauty. Make certain to look and observe even the smallest areas. It really is incredible how much beauty one building can hold.

Savanna beautiful church. Not the oldest church. The twin steeples can be spot far away. The cathedral has good interior decoration. The nativity scene is display on both side of altar. A line was form to visit the nativity. The blue roof is beautiful to show the layer of dome roof. Church is not big. But it serve the purpose of worship for the amount of peoples. The wall painting with story of Jesus is beautiful. The altar is serious and respectful. The visit only take a short while. Windows tinting also very illustrates.

I am Roman Catholic and I even learned some things during the tour. It was very informative and the Cathedral is absolutely beautiful. This is a must stop to your for everyone even those that are not Catholic

During my vacation to Savannah, I made sure to add a visit to the stunning Roman Catholic cathedral to my itinerary. The church boasts magnificent French gothic architecture and is nothing short of gigantic, a true work of art. The intricate details of the architecture both inside and outside are simply breathtaking. Remember to be respectful and refrain from using flash or making any noise, and you'll be able to snap as many photos as you desire. I urge anyone visiting Savannah to make this church a must-see destination.

Simply beautiful. We enjoyed our visit. Highly recommended. It is free, but a $3 donation is recommended. Be aware, there are several "St John" churches in the area. This one has two beautiful spires that cannot be missed.

We came here on one of our recent trips to Savannah. It is a great activity if it is raining as it is all indoors. Be sure to check the hours it is open because it is still an active church, used by congregants. We were here on a Monday in the afternoon and it was not that crowded. There is no cost to enter, but they do accept donations and provide a recommended amount of $3 per person. The inside is remarkable, almost on par with some of the churches in Europe. There were a few tour groups and we listened in on one, learning some interesting facts. I would recommend coming into it with some knowledge ahead of time. We did a quick walk around the whole thing, taking in the beauty and were in and out in less than 30 minutes. Not sure we could have spent more than this here.

Free to visit. They do suggest a $3 donation. Absolutely beautiful architecture expressing honor and glory to God and our Savior Jesus. Stunning artifacts, statues, stained glass and ceilings!! Very moving experience.

We heard about this church on one of our tours so we decided to stop in to check it out. We got there around 2 pm on a Saturday and it was not busy at all, which was nice. However, the pictures do not do this church justice! It is absolutely gorgeous. The stain glass windows and the architecture are just unreal. We only stayed for about 10 minutes, but if you're in Savannah, this is definitely worth a stop into.

It was a nice break from the heat to visit the cathedral on a July afternoon. Although not too busy on a weekday, there was a steady flow of visitors. I felt comfortable walking around and taking photos in the church.

While visiting Savannah, Georgia...I had read that stopping by Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist was a worthwhile attraction while exploring around this quaint and charming city. Well...the church did not disappoint. I'm glad I made it a point to head on in and spend some time walking around. Just to back up a little...I guess, for me, the review is just to talk about why I liked this place as an opportunity to stop along my travels for a moment and think about how precious life is in the world and how you shouldn't take anything for granted. Okay so yeah, I'm not even religious. In fact I was kicked out of school when I was younger for being mischievous. So...I've never really had any ties or attachments to anything spiritual or even a beautiful church like this. Fast forward to now in the middle ages of my life and obviously I'm a different person, but here I was at Cathedral Basilica and truly the main reason I did make time for seeing this historical church was for photo taking. I like to take pictures and plenty of them, lol. The church is situated on the corner of two cozy little streets right in the heart of downtown Savannah. If you need directions on how to find it, just plug Cathedral Basilica into Google Maps and you're good to go. For those folks interested in getting a couple pictures of the church from the outside, I'd recommend crossing the street walking away from the church. From the other side, at least for me, I was able to capture this entire colossal and spiritual monument in its entirety from across the ways. Well actually, I did have to squat and bend down to photograph the church completely. And yes, lol, I did have to wait for a couple of cars and tourists to pass by and exit my frame before snapping the pics I was looking for. It was all worth it. Now entering inside, obviously during this pandemic you must wear your mask and they request that you take your hat off or anything you may be wearing on your head. Now, you're free to roam around and take your time admiring the colorful setting of the church on the inside. In fact, you could even sit down and relax and soak up the spiritual atmosphere. If you'd like to make a donation, that would be great. So...once again, for me...I don't know anything about religion, but I was able to grab more photogenic aspects inside. This church really is scenic. Now since I'm completely unfamiliar with a church or a holy place of worship...they did have a little section in one corner where you could light candles. I understood what this was about...at least I think I did. But this was important to me. For a fee of $3 (and you pay by the honor system dropping money into a box), you can buy a candle and light it for someone of memory. And the reason why I'm saying this is because just recently before coming to Savannah, a person I loved very dearly passed of cancer. It was excruciating and heartbreaking as I've never lost someone I was in love with before. They were taken away much too young. So...I bought a candle, lit it, and stood there reflecting and just having that opportunity to know and sort of say...that I love this person and I am sending them much love and warm wishes in heaven. In fact, I even sat down on one of the benches and simply took my time reflecting and appreciating how to make the most of life...to get out there and do everything in the world. You only have one life to live. Make the most of it. Ultimately, I spent a half hour or so just sitting on the bench. Anyhow, now I have a much new understanding for why people come to churches, to places of worship...to heal oneself and to make whole again. I genuinely valued making a stop here at Cathedral Basilica. Not only it is a very photogenic and old fashioned stature here in Savannah...but it very much assisted me in the start of my healing process. And for that I'm grateful. Thinking back on my time here I feel humbled to have had the opportunity to mourn and reflect, and to realize that it's important to be a better person in life going forward. So for any tourists or visitors thinking about coming here to Cathedral Basilica, I highly suggest it. It doesn't take much time out of your day and you'll be surrounded by historical beauty and a holy place of prayer.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic cathedral and minor basilica on Lafayette Square in Savannah, Georgia. It is the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. The architecture style is French Gothic architecture which makes this beautiful cathedral so breathtaking. As many of my fellow Yelpers have shared on this page, the photos do not serve any justice. This cathedral remains in the top 10 historic sites to visit in the United States, and for good reason. It is still an active house of worship so be mindful while deciding to drop in for a self-guided tour (masks and social distancing required) so there is no interruption in Masses or other religious events.

Went by it three times and every time closed. Never heard of a church that's closed to public, won't be back

Historical cathedral with a beautiful stained glass windows and expansive alter. It's a suggested $3 donation to go in. They offered a free tour where the presenter explained the cathedral's history and pointed out some interesting features. It took about 20 minutes overall and was very informative. It is an active church so do be mindful about people praying. I would recommend coming here for a first-timer to Savannah and spending half an hour!

I had just finished a long walk and wasn't sure if I wanted to stop here but I am so glad I did. The photos do not do this place justice. It is truly a sight of grandeur and opulence. It was free to walk around inside and take photos. Easily one of the best values in Savannah even if you just stop in for a few minutes.

This is a historic cathedral right next to one of savannahs squares. Parking is scarce but do able. This church seems to be very well maintained. The exterior and the interior were absolutely stunning. Pictures are allowed. You must be respectful when entering and stay quiet as people are praying. The detail and craftsmanship done to this building is exquisite, such small detailing makes it a true piece of art. Definitely worth the visit. Highly recommended

Breath taking! Ahh inspiring! Must see! The times of incredibly intricate craftsmanship is long past. The level of detail and complexity craftsman went through long ago is fantastic!

This is far and away the prettiest Church/Cathedral I've ever been to. The photos do NOT do it justice and the wave of emotion I felt as I turned the corner and walked in was unmatched. It towers over the city and is very easy to spot and access. They also had a local guide come in and speak on some of its history and design choices by the holy water in the front.

This Church is a Must-See when visiting Savannah. It is an architectural gift to the world. According to the docent who informed us of the incredible history of this site, one of the most beautiful churches in the USA.

During our city tour, we passed by this magnificent Cathedral & we had to visit it on the inside before leaving the "Hostess City of the South" and it didn't disappoint...! Its incredible and intricate architectural design is breathtaking. Its indoor ornamental designs, stained-glass windows and busts depicting Jesus' life will leave anyone in awe. You don't have to be of Catholic faith to enjoy this cathedral's beauty or much needed peacefulness from the hustle and bustle outside its doors. We had a chance to celebrate mass while visiting which was a welcoming and blessed treat. As a bonus, the nativity and all Christmas decorations were still up so it visually delighted all of us. It's definitely a must see while in Savannah...it's truly delightful and one visit that you'll joyfully remember..!

When I entered the church my breath was taken away by it's beauty! Pictures can not do it Justice - I was in awe of the beautiful depictions of the life of Christ and the church- we took a pew up front and just sat looking at the beautiful architecture and art work. As mass began the organ began and had a beautiful echo through the church - and then the angels began to sing- their beautiful voices gave me chills! A beautiful place to take a break - to seek refuge or just to take a moment and give thanks!

Even if you aren't Catholic or even religious, one can appreciate the beauty of the Cathedral of St John the Baptist. The Roman Catholic church is built in the French Gothic architectural style which explains why it looks like churches you would come across in Europe. The cathedral was constructed in the late 1800's but has seen renovation projects after a fire damaged the building and other updates were done to preserve and maintain the building. Although the exterior itself is impressive, the interior has many ornate details. The stained glass has stunning depictions of biblical stories. There are murals adorning the walls and colorful blue accents with gold crosses. The large altarpiece is also visually stunning. Definitely worth coming to see if you are exploring the historic district of Savannah. It is a free activity and you can even rest for a few minutes by sitting in one of their large pews.

beautiful place to stop in while in savannah. Free entrance just donate a few bucks for the establishment

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic cathedral on Lafayette Square. It is the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. When Savannah was founded, the colonial charter prohibited Roman Catholics from settling in the city because the English settlers were afraid that the Catholics would be more loyal to the Spanish in Florida rather than to the English government in control of Georgia. After the American Revolution this prohibition was lifted and a congregation began to form in 1796 that met in a wood frame building. French Catholics came to Savannah in 1799 after fleeing from slave rebellions in Haiti. Among them were nobles fleeing the French Revolution that had begun in 1789. This became the main church for free blacks from Haiti in the early 19th century. The congregation increased with immigrants and in 1835 the cornerstone was laid for the small church of Saint John the Baptist. By the time the church was dedicated in 1839 it contained one third of all Catholics in Georgia. A new brick church was built in 1896 that seated 1,000 people. A fire destroyed on February 6, 1898 leaving only the walls and the towers with the spires that had been added in 1896. Then Bishop, Thomas A. Becker issued the command "The Cathedral must be rebuilt, and as soon as possible". The church was restored by the congregation in time for Christmas and the first Mass was held there on Dec. 24, 1899. The rebuilt church was the first building in Georgia to be built of brick. The interior of the church took another 13 years to complete. The church has 81 stained glass windows that were installed around 1904 and 16 gargoyles. The building is 214 feet tall with a roof height of 96 feet. 90,000 copper nails and 45,000 slates were used in the church construction. Heating, cooling, lighting, were added between 1959 and 1965. Structural improvements were made in the mid 1980's. A new roof, additional decorations, and restoration of murals dating to 1912 were completed in the years from 1998 to 2000 after the Cathedral received $11 million from the diocese. This year Pope Francis elevated the status of the church to minor basilica.The title represents a bond between the institution and the Pope. In the United States there are only 87 churches, including 18 cathedrals that carry the basilica designation. USA Today Travel has listed St. John Cathedral as one of the "10 Best Sights to See" while in Savannah. The church is open for self-guided tours Monday through Saturday, 9:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M and 12:45 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. They request a donation of $3. Unfortunately the church was closed during my visit to the city but you can see the striking church spires from just about anywhere in downtown Savannah. A a lover of Gothic architecture, this is one of my favorite buildings in Savannah.

A Church That Could Almost Make You Believe... (Almost) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-savannah?select=2N-5wh9h3kA4tSelNKs5CA&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w SITREP In the Heart of Savannah's Historic District is The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist ("St. John's"), one of the most beautiful Cathedrals I've been privileged to attend while I was visiting this beautiful city a recent weekend in early May. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-savannah?select=op4gT5MNnFyzLtgn-QBj2A&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w In addition, on a more personal level, it was very pleasant to be awoken every morning by the bells of St. John's during our stay in our nearby rental. MY STORY Never a Catholic, nor now a member of any Organized Religion, but still carry a dynamic appreciation for "Faith" and Religious Architectural Beauty, as a confirmed DEIST (in the modern system of Thomas Jefferson & James Madison, and in the Classical sense of Plato & Aristotle). So it is within this general Foundational belief system, I can still appreciate the meaning of "church" and "sacramental practices" and how they can affirm faith. From high school through law school, it was a privilege to travel through this great land and participate in Brass Choir performances (I play Trombone) in large churches and Cathedrals and Capitol Domes, from Washington, D.C. to Seattle. THE SETUP From the beautiful grounds to the uplifting spires, St. John's makes a stunning visual testimony for it's belief in Faith. * MONUMENT TO FAITH Outside, St. John's is clearly an instrument of faith, beckoning those within view to come within and fellowship for a while. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-savannah?select=tXNq7GhVo-kgO894IigD6A&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * HOUSE OF WORSHIP Inside, St. John's is just breathtaking in all of it's splendor * THE NARTHEX TO THE ALTAR At the Narthex entrance is an Octogon of one of most beautiful constructions of eight (8) small fountains of sacred water - surrounding a larger pool of water - to anoint yourself with via your genuflection. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-savannah?select=-B-veAXdGSmzGYgX198Q6g&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w Then your eyes are carried down the long aisle to the Altar where the services and ceremonies are performed. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-savannah?select=i59QV-iyoxuBtB5FruNb1g&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * STAINED GLASS WINDOWS & PICTOGRAPH SCULPTURES From the vaulted ceiling, the internal buttresses high above come down and frame the windows. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-savannah?select=j2ybmXnAzWGRFsOrXHLstg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w And then you see the story of Christ revealed from one side to the other, completely riveting with stunning Stained-Glass Windows and Sculptures in the form of pictographs. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-savannah?select=RHY3fTcgY2Ki4oLJgiqL_Q&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w A person could learn a lot about the Faith of the church just in looking at each windows & alternating pictograph, as they each portray a chapter in the Life of Christ. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-savannah?select=exipy5w17-vtZ9G-4Jmc8Q&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w THE LOWDOWN Indeed a beautiful house of worship.

Beautiful, just a shame it was closed the day we were there Black Friday , next time

Beautiful! The architecture put into building this Chruch is amazing. The warmth of the atmosphere as you walk in is overwhelming. Calms the soul! A definite must see for anyone traveling to Savannah, GA. Love every minute we spent here!

We just did a quick walk in, look around, take pics trip as we were walking past. But omg! I'm glad we did. How gorgeous is this?!? Def a jaw dropping site. The attention to detail was amazing. Such a beautiful place.

THIS is how God's House should look. Really breathe taking at Christmas. THANK YOU Jesus for coming to Earth as the greatest present ever.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a must-see for architecture buffs. From the moment you walk through the cathedral doors you are overwhelmed by the beautiful paintings, the high vaulted ceilings, and the beautiful stained glass windows throughout. The wooden pews are well over 120 years old and still strong as can be. The majesty of this cathedral is awe-inspiring.

You don't have to be religious to appreciate the beauty of this church. The architecture is amazing, and the details inside the cathedral are breathtaking. Make sure to take note of hours of worship so that you can tour when there is not mass taking place. Take a break from walking around the heat of Savannah to this air conditioned church, and bask in the grandeur of its presence. Be sure to admire the huge organ that is on the second floor as you're exiting the cathedral.

I am not Catholic, but I am a lover of architectural design and overall artistry, which most of the Catholic Cathedrals have in abundance. That being said, The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist would not rank as one of my favorites considering many of the other cathedrals I've seen around the country. While it is highly detailed, it feels very Medieval to me and I didn't find the colors as appealing as I have in most other cathedrals. It very busy to my eyes. What I did love were the individual art sculptures on the walls near the pews. [ HISTORIC FACTS ] source: Church website/history 1873 The cornerstone was laid on November 19, 1873. It was a new structure replacing the one built in 1835. 1876 On April 30, 1876, the new French Gothic style Cathedral was dedicated. 1896 Spires are added. The brick structure was also stuccoed and whitewashed. 1898 A devastating fire on February 6, 1898, destroyed all of the Cathedral but the outside walls and the two spires. The rebuilding began immediately, and the first mass in the rebuilt Cathedral happened on December 24, 1899. 1912 13 years after the fire, the adornments and artwork of the interior were finished. Savannah artist, Christopher Murphy, led the design and creation of the murals. 1998-2000 In September 1998, a major restoration began which included the replacement of the slate roof, restoration of the decorative paint scheme, murals, stained glass and Stations of the Cross. It was completed in November 2000 to honor the 150th anniversary of the diocese and the 100th anniversary of the rededication of the Cathedral. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] The Catholic church is one of, if not thee wealthiest institutions in the world. It is not hard to see why when you consider the amount of ornate real estate and art in its property profile all around the world. While this one is not as appealing to me as others, it is definitely worthy of a visit when touring Savannah! The local bus tour stops directly in front of it. 2019/67

Just Absolutely Beautiful This absolutely beautiful cathedral was just a short walk from our hotel and on our list of historic places to see while in town. We have seen many Cathedrals and Duomos in Europe which of course are much bigger. However, this was totally an unexpected find here in the U S. The docent presented a comprehensive review of the building history and architect. We took out time to walk up the aisle look at the stain glass, alter and organ. We spent close to an hour and recommend if in Savannah this is well worth the time to visit.

Beautiful cathedral and tallest building in Savanna. I just love stained glass windows and there was much to love here. With the recent fire in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris it made me feel something extra as I hope most of the stained glass murals were saved in Paris. Originally Catholic were not allow to worship in the English colony of Georgia but that did not last long and in 1876 it was built. It had a fire 1898 but was refurbished in 1899. It also has had additional work over the decades. These old, historic sites are always worth a visit when one has an opportunity to do so!

What a magnificent Cathedral both on the interior and exterior. It is absolutely breathtaking! Even if you aren't Catholic, the historic architecture from 1876 is something to behold. They gave a little lecture that day about the church and then we stayed for mass. Hearing about the "marble" columns and how stained glass windows came about was fantastic. It seems that marble columns would not have been able to hold up such a structure, so they put in metal columns and painted them to look like marble. Fooled me! Learned so much and you could tell the man giving the lecture had so much more he could have told us. The Stations of the Cross brought tears to my eyes. He has a real passion for what he does. The mass itself was fairly short. We sang no hymns and there was no consecrated wine for the us. I wouldn't have missed this for anything though.

So how did this come to be, here is the briefest description possible ... 'The congregation grew through the addition of immigrants, and on May 30, 1799, the Mayor and Aldermen of Savannah passed a resolution reserving half a trust lot on Liberty Square for the congregation's use. One year later to the day the cornerstone was laid for the small frame church of Saint John the Baptist.' This place is stunning from the outside and then when you go inside it's unlike anything you've ever seen before. You really need to have this on the must see list when you visit Savannah. Words can barely describe what you are in store for when visiting here. Check this out, you're trip can be as short or long as you like, either way it's well worth while.

Simply awesome never seen such beauty. Got there about 12:40 and they did a presentation learned a lot. It's one of nineteen Cathedra and basilica churches in the USA. Must see presentation.

I was looking forward to seeing this and it didn't disappoint. You don't have to be of the same faith to appreciate architecture of this magnitude. Just come to admire the beauty of the building. The artwork and story it tells along the wall is very comforting and peaceful. Be sure and look up worship hours since you can't go in during then. As with everything downtown you pay for parking. But if just visiting this building you might just need about 30 minutes. It's not very large, but it is tall. Just go, take in the beauty and be at peace for a few moments.

Cathedrals soar up to heaven. They were traditionally the tallest edifices in European cities. We don't have many in the US. This is a superb one. The structure that exists now dates from 1899. The architecture, interior, and windows are simply awesome. Even if you are not Catholic or religious at all, take some time to walk around the cathedral to see it from several angles. Then, go inside and sit in a pew and be engulfed by the beauty, serenity, and spirituality of this place. You will remember it MUCH later as one of the highlights of your trip to Savannah.

One of the must see's of the United States, Not just Savannah! I understand why. First we took a bike ride by it, & then the following day we visited! The beauty of it is amazing. The details of everything are impeccable. They ask for a small donation of $2. We walked inside and in all directions beauty stood still. You can sit in a pew, and look and listen and taken in everything! It's an uplifting experience! Happy we got to check it out!

We were in Savannah celebrating our friends engagement and had a group of 11 people. We were happy and laughing and celebrating then we were asked to leave from an angry volunteer because our voice echoed through the church. I found her rude and uninviting, this is the reason people leave the Catholic Church! Makes me sad