Came here for New Year's Day mass and loved it. Next time I pass by I'll have to come here and walk around this beautiful church and grounds. read more

I rarely have high expectations for churches in small cities (#1), but St John really blew me away. From top to bottom, inside and out, it is immaculate. I had attended a wedding here recently and came away super impressed. First of all this cathedral is massive. The seating capacity well exceeds the usual several hundred and may bleed into the quadruple digits. The seats are spacious and the pews are relatively comfortable. There is an adjoining space that is used as a gathering hall across the parking lot. As big as this place is, the parking is quite limited. Like most things down South, it's really old. We're talking practically 200 years old (1821) and still well maintained and as iconic as ever. Any older and it may precede the Louisiana Purchase (#2). and situated in the middle of downtown Lafayette is pretty incredible. I would venture for anyone in the Lafayette area to host their Catholic celebrations here. Combined with the catering hall next door, it is a fantastic space and ideal for all occasions. __________ (#1) I should have known better, it's the South. (#2) Which happened in 1803. read more

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The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is a wonderful example of Dutch Romanesque Revival style. The structure was completed in 1916 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The land was donated to the Catholic Church in 1821 bny Jean Mouton. He was a planter who founded the town of Lafayette as Vermillionville. The cathedral, with outstanding stained glass windows produced in Munich, is the third church built on the site. Beautiful place. read more

Cathedral of St John - Wonderful cathedral of St. John. - Churches Near Me - Lafayette, Louisiana

I love all things Lafayette but my favorite thing in the world is here at Cathedral of St. John. The Cathedral Oak grows in the courtyard of this lovely church. It is majestic and just drop dead gorgeous. I've never attended mass here but this tree will make anyone believe in a higher power. Oak trees are synonymous with the south and this one is just perfect. It's five centuries old and nearly 130 feet tall and one of the most beautiful trees you'll ever see. The cemetery is lovely as well, reminiscent of ours in New Orleans with the above ground tombs. If you are in Lafayette do yourself a favor and visit this church. Please hug that tree for me too! read more

Was told by a local to check out this church, cemetery and the old oak in front. Gorgeous complex with the cathedral taking center stage, flanked by school buildings, gorgeously landscaped property and an amazing cemetery. read more

Cathedral of St John - Churches Near Me - Lafayette, Louisiana

This is an absolutely gorgeous spot to check out on a visit to Lafayette. The old oak outside is fantastic--I do have a thing for big trees which makes me crazy love them, but I think even well-adjusted people would love this one. The outside of the church itself is pretty amazing, unlike any other I've seen, at least that I remember. The inside is very interesting as well, with stained glass scenes and mosaic/portraits of each of the Apostles lining the ceiling. I've also got a thing for the ceilings of churches and this one was very cool (what did my parents do to me as a child? No just kidding, I've just taken Art History classes and can appreciate things like ceilings and flying buttresses). The cemetery outside is also worth a walk through. As a native Californian and recent Louisiana transplant, I find it very interesting just looking at all of the names on the gravestones, as they are very unlike I would see back home. Overall, I would highly recommend this for a quick stop (30 minutes to an hour suited me fine) for some beauty in your life! read more

Beautiful historic church with an above ground cemetery and the creepiest tree ever! Free! This place is likely haunted. read more

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Beautiful! Walking inside took my breath away. There is an amazing pipe organ upstairs. All the saints are on the ceiling and the cemetery behind was humbling to walk trough. So peaceful. There is a HUGE oak tree outside as well. Pretty cool. read more

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Gorgeous old church. Beautiful mass & the singer has an exquisite voice. Incredible 500+ year old oak on property. What a great way to start the day. read more

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Exploring Lafayette, including this lovely cathedral & grave yard in downtown. Love the church bells! read more

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I have been to St. John's Cathedral many, many times because I went to the school that is right next door to it, and we had mass there every Thursday. It is a really beautiful catholic church in Lafayette, LA and if you have a second to see it, go whenever a mass is going on. Also make sure to step around back and check out the cemetery! Here's a little video I shot of a trip I took there one day! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf5F4V5Pf-k read more

As the other kind reviews have stated, this is an immensely beautiful location to contemplate the mysteries of life, whatever that may be for you. But unfortunately, it's pristine beauty has maybe outgrown the purpose that these hallowed grounds are here to serve. I'm sitting in the parking lot, at 6pm writing this review out of hurt and frustration. It's a Sunday, super bowl Sunday actually and that apparently plays a part. You see my son is entombed in this cemetery. He was 15 when he left this world, and he's been remembered here for the last twelve years. They used to leave to walk in gate open, usually all the time, for heart broken people like myself to come here and peacefully grieve our loss and try to make sense of it all. Not any more. They now had a police woman who saw me even approaching the gate and quickly called out to me to inquire what my business was! Mind you, this was 6pm, on a Sunday, a day of worship. It's not even dark yet and a sservice just let out. I told her I was going to visit my sons grave. She in a matter of fact, not to be debated tone, said that she was here by herself today and she's already locked everything up. She saw the look of shock on my face and only added that its super bowl Sunday since apparently that would help me understand why only one police officer would have problems with guarding a gated cemetery a few blocks from the jail, the police and sherriff station, the courthouse, basically the most heavily policed couple of blocks in this area of the state. Cuz, you know, Super Bowl. The real St John wouldn't even want a imperial guard at any house of god simply so no wretched or downcast sinner might shy away from seeking salvation. These days though, the property value is a concern for "investors", I mean donators. I am ashamed of what God would see if he looked down at mankind in this age. read more

I was almost born in the cemetery here, on August 1st, years ago in the late 70's. Ooh, tomorrow is my birthday! I lived in a house across the street that was torn down when I was four to build a dentist's office. My memories of this place still fill me with a peculiar awe. The tree is a most lovely asset to the property. It is over 500 years old! My last visit was this past April 2015. My sis Bethany was actually born in the house on Rue St. John. We lived in the house one year after she was born and then moved to different places. We were displaced temporarily. I remember the house and the lot I used to play on very well. There was a billboard that was tall that I used to house under, and the lot was very well treed. Bells would ring every day, and that was rather pleasant to hear. I love it there, and I will never forget my childhood growing up for a time in the jazzy, romantic little city of Lafayette, Louisiana. I wrote about it. If you are interested, please Google the book "Jolie Blonde". read more

The cathedral is beautiful but the "sacristan" Mr. Michael Breaux is extremely rude and not behaving like a Christian man. I would NEVER recommend to anyone to have their wedding here no matter how beautiful the church is as long as he is there. He was rude to my friend (THE BRIDE) and to her friend who was helping her with the planning. He was extremely judgmental and condescending. read more