St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and Library, Minor basilica and cathedral library in Vincennes, US.
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and Library is a Greek Revival Catholic cathedral built in brick, with classical columns and a symmetrical facade, located in downtown Vincennes, Indiana. Several connected buildings extend from the main church and house a library with rare manuscripts and a set of museum galleries.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1826 on land that had originally been granted by the French Crown, making it one of the earliest church foundations in what is now the state of Indiana. Pope Gregory XVI established the Diocese of Vincennes in 1834, giving the site formal standing as an episcopal see.
The cathedral is one of the oldest active Catholic parishes in the Midwest, and visitors can still see original furnishings and artworks that have remained in place for generations. The painted murals inside were made by Wilhelm Lamprecht, a German-born artist whose work is rarely found outside this building.
The site is on Church Street in central Vincennes and easy to reach on foot from nearby points of interest. Because it covers several connected buildings, allow enough time to visit the church, library, and museum spaces without rushing.
The library holds a papal document from 1319, one of the oldest written pieces in the American Midwest. The full collection of over 11,000 rare books and manuscripts makes this the oldest established library in the state of Indiana.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
