Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.

The Alter of St John The Baptist.

The Cathedral is located at 222 east Harris st

Savannah Georgia. It is the Mother church of

Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. It was

established as Savannah's first parish at the

end of the 18th century,by French imigrants

who fled Haiti after an uprising, and also  

French Nobles who fled the French revolution.

On May 30th 1800 the first church was built

on Liberty Square. By 1804 the church needed

more room. There were no more lots to build on.

On august 2nd 1811 the City granted permission

to build at Montgomery and Hull streets, but it

was never built. Instead it was built at Drayton

and Perry streets.

In 1876, another new building was built along Harris 

street between Abercorn and Lincoln streets. In 1898 

this structure caught fire and was almost completely

destroyed. The then Bishop of Savannah, Thomas A.

Becker said while looking at the devistation," The 

Cathedral must be rebuilt as soon as possible".

The reconstructed Church was completed in late

1899 and held the first Mass on Dec. 24 of that year.

It was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1900 by Archbishop

Sebastien Martinelli. The Cathedral remains one of the

largest church buildings in the southern United States.

In 1959-1963 the building was renovated extensively,

being updated with modern heating, cooling, lighting;

a new Plaza; a new Pulpit; and new Alter rail. In 1984-85

the building was again renovated: The old crumbling wooden

foundation was replaced with re-enforced concrete.

In September 1998-November 2000 the Cathedral slate

roof was replaced, 50 stained glass windows were

releded, and the interior was restored.

The Cathedral is a popular tourist attraction.

We are very thankfull to Almighty God that all of

this History and Tradition is granted to us

in Jesus Name. "He is the reason for the Season"