Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is a large house of worship in downtown Cleveland featuring Gothic Revival elements with stone walls, a tall spire, and intricate stained glass. The interior displays ornate wooden decorations and detailed religious artworks throughout the space.

Construction began in 1848 under Bishop Amadeus Rappe and was completed in 1852 as the mother church of the Cleveland Diocese. The bell tower was finished in 1946 and subsequently received bells donated by parishioners.

The cathedral serves as the spiritual center for Cleveland's Catholic community, where people gather daily for worship and religious observances. You can experience how the space functions as a living place of faith rather than simply a museum.

The cathedral is located downtown on Superior Avenue and welcomes visitors during daytime hours. Information about specific visiting times and guided tours is available at the site or online.

The bells in the tower were not cast as a single set but assembled gradually through individual donations from parishioners. Each bell bears the name of a saint and represents a personal connection between the donors and the church.

Location: Ohio

Architects: Patrick Charles Keely

GPS coordinates: 41.50280,-81.68840

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:26