Cathedral of Saint John and Saint Finbar

The Cathedral of Saint John and Saint Finbar is a Gothic Revival church in Charleston built with Connecticut brownstone walls and topped by a bronze cross-crowned steeple. The interior contains a spacious nave approximately 156 feet (48 meters) long and 72 feet (22 meters) wide, accommodating roughly 1200 worshippers.

Bishop John England acquired the site in 1821 and established a temporary chapel before construction of the present cathedral began in 1850. The building was consecrated in 1854 and has served as a major center of worship in Charleston ever since.

The cathedral's name honors Saint Finbar, founder of an abbey in Cork, reflecting the strong Irish Catholic roots of Charleston's faith community. This connection remains visible in the devotional practices and traditions that visitors encounter here.

The location sits conveniently in downtown Charleston and is easily accessible on foot with nearby urban amenities. Visitors should keep in mind that it remains an active place of worship where services and prayers take place, so respectful behavior is important.

The original building was destroyed during the Great Fire of Charleston in 1861, but its ruins remained standing until the earthquake of 1886 finally toppled them. This double tragedy shaped the building's history and makes its survival and reconstruction remarkable.

Location: Charleston

Inception: 1854

Architects: Patrick Charles Keely

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Capacity: 1200

GPS coordinates: 32.77639,-79.93444

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:22