Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist: Key Information

Overview

• Located in Savannah, Georgia, under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah.
• Address: 222 East Harris Street, Savannah, GA 31401, County: Chatham.
• Mass Times: Saturday Vigil at 5:30 PM, Sunday at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:30 AM.
• Year Established: 1839.

Historical Timeline

Late 1700s

• First parish established by immigrants from Haiti and France, known as the Congregation de Saint Jean-Baptiste.

1789-1799

• Land granted and first cornerstone laid for Saint John the Baptist church.

1811

• New site acquired for the growing parish at Drayton and Perry Streets.

1835

• Bishop John England places cornerstone for new brick church.
• April 1, 1839, church dedicated by Bishop England.

1850

• Diocese of Savannah erected by Pope Pius IX, first bishop was Francis X. Gartland.
• Church repaired, enlarged, and named the Cathedral.

1870-1876

• Plans for new cathedral initiated by Bishop Ignatius Persico.
• Cornerstone for new Cathedral laid in 1873 by Bishop William H. Gross.
• Cathedral dedicated in 1876, named Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

1896-1898

• Spires added, building stuccoed and whitewashed.
• Fire in 1898 destroys most of the Cathedral; rebuilt by 1900.

1912-1920

• Interior decoration completed in 1912.
• Cathedral consecrated in 1920 by Bishop Keiley.

1959-1963

• Renovations include new entrance, and updates to heating, cooling, and lighting.

1984-1985

• Spire repairs, liturgical updates, and a new altar arrangement.

1998-2000

• Major restoration projects undertaken, including decorative and structural updates.
• Restoration completed in 2000 to celebrate 150th diocesan anniversary.

2020

• Cathedral named a minor basilica by Pope Francis.

Contact Information

• Phone: 912-233-4709
• Website: Savannah Cathedral

Additional Resources

• Diocese of Savannah Website: diosav.org