Basilica of St. John the Baptist

History & Significance

Basilica · Est. Parish founded 1823; current church dedicated 1872

St. John the Baptist Parish in Canton, Ohio, was established in 1823 on land donated by John Shorb, making it the oldest Catholic parish in northeastern Ohio. The present Gothic Revival church, designed by noted American architect James Renwick Jr., was completed in 1871 and dedicated in 1872. It serves the Diocese of Youngstown and was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI on June 19, 2012.

Gothic Revival

• •Oldest Catholic parish in northeastern Ohio, established 1823
• •Present church designed by James Renwick Jr.; completed 1871, dedicated 1872
• •Elevated to a minor basilica on June 19, 2012
• •Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 27, 1975 (ref. no. 75001533)
• •Serves the Diocese of Youngstown