About the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Lafayette, Louisiana:
Also known as La Cathédrale St-Jean, the Romanesque Revival-inspired church was completed in 1918, at the same time that the Diocese of Lafayette was created. The church’s cemetery is the oldest in Lafayette and holds the remains of prominent Lafayette families including that of Jean Mouton, a wealthy plantation owner who donated the cathedral’s land. In the front corner of the cathedral’s property is the “Saint John Cathedral Oak”, a spectacular, 500-year-old tree that is one of the largest live oak trees in the United States.
The Cathedral Museum, located inside the Cathedral Center, features memorabilia of the early bishops of the diocese and pastors of the Cathedral, historical documents, liturgical vestments, and vessels of the pre-Vatican II era. The museum also commemorates the persons and events that contributed to the history of St. John Cathedral Parish which spans 185 years. Included in the exhibit are the official diocesan and papal documents which established both the parish in 1821 and the diocese in 1918.
Editor’s note: The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist at 914 St. John Street in Downtown Lafayette is undergoing substantial renovations to the interior that began May 1, 2024. The interior of the Church is closed for worship and pilgrimage travel. The proposed reopen date is November 27th 2024.
All masses will be celebrated in the Cathedral Hall. Visitors are encouraged to visit the gift shop and museum at 515 Cathedral Street.
Traveling to the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Lafayette, Louisiana:
The Cathedral is located in the heart of downtown Lafayette.
Address: 914 St. John Street, Lafayette, LA 70501-6701
Tel: 1+(337)232-1322
Email: info@saintjohncathedral.org
Click here for the official website of Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral in Lafayette, Louisiana.