About Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist · Savannah, Georgia
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah and the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Georgia, with roots tracing back to French Catholic émigrés who established the Congrégation de Saint Jean-Baptiste in Savannah shortly before the end of the 18th century. The current French Gothic–style brick cathedral, the first brick church built in Georgia, was completed in 1876 on a site set back from Abercorn Street in downtown Savannah and was raised to the dignity of a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2020. With its twin 214-foot spires, 81 stained glass windows, 16 gargoyles, soaring 66-foot nave, and Austrian Tyrolean stained glass and Renaissance-style murals, it is one of the most prominent landmarks of the Hostess City and a destination for pilgrims, tourists, and parishioners alike.
- Established
- 1799
- Patron
- Saint John the Baptist (with Our Lady of Perpetual Help as secondary patron)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Msgr. J. Gerard Schreck, JCD, JV, VF (Rector since 2013)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
Why belong here
The Cathedral Basilica offers downtown Savannah Catholics a unique combination of historic grandeur and active parish life: a full schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, weekly Reconciliation, ongoing faith formation for children, active Respect Life and Caring Ministries, and the rare privilege of worshiping in a minor basilica whose soaring French Gothic nave, Austrian stained glass, and Christopher Murphy murals have welcomed pilgrims for nearly 150 years. It is also the seat of the Diocese of Savannah and the spiritual home of its bishop, giving parishioners a direct connection to diocesan liturgies and celebrations.
Mass times at Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
- The confessional is located in the north transept of the Cathedral
History of the Parish and Cathedral
French Catholic émigrés — refugees of the Haitian uprising and the French Revolution — founded Savannah's first Catholic parish, the Congrégation de Saint Jean-Baptiste, shortly before the end of the 18th century. The community built successive churches, with Bishop John England of Charleston dedicating a 1,000-seat brick church on April 1, 1839. When Pope Pius IX erected the Diocese of Savannah on July 19, 1850, Saint John the Baptist became the cathedral. The present French Gothic–style brick structure was begun with the cornerstone laid by Bishop William H. Gross, C.Ss.R. on November 19, 1873, and dedicated on April 30, 1876. The cathedral was gutted by fire on February 6, 1898, leaving only the walls and twin spires; Bishop Benjamin Keiley presided over the rededication on October 28, 1900. Major renovations in 1959–1963, 1984–85, and 1998–2000 have continually renewed the building, and Pope Francis elevated it to a minor basilica in 2020.
- Parish founded by French émigrés c. 1797–1799
- Brick church dedicated April 1, 1839 by Bishop John England
- Diocese of Savannah erected July 19, 1850
- Current cathedral cornerstone laid November 19, 1873
- Cathedral dedicated April 30, 1876
- Devastating fire February 6, 1898
- Rebuilt cathedral dedicated October 28, 1900
- Restoration of 1959–63, 1984–85, and 1998–2000
- Named minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2020
Architecture and Sacred Art
Designed in the French Gothic Revival style, the cathedral is built of brick covered in white stucco, with twin 214-foot spires, a Latin-cross plan, and no clerestory. The 66-foot nave rises on marbleized cast-iron columns to false ribbed vaults of iron-and-wood truss construction. The altar ensemble of white Italian marble was designed by Baldwin & Price of Baltimore. After the 1898 fire, the interior was rebuilt and redecorated with Austrian Tyrolean stained glass by the Innsbruck Glassmakers (c. 1904) and Renaissance-style biblical murals by Savannah artist Christopher Murphy, executed in New York by Paul Gutsche and his team (installed by 1912). A Noack tracker organ was placed in the gallery below the rose window — dedicated to St. Cecilia — in 1987.
- French Gothic Revival, white stucco over brick
- Twin 214-foot towers, 96-foot roof height, 66-foot nave
- 81 stained-glass windows; 16 gargoyles
- Italian-marble main and four side altars by Baldwin & Price of Baltimore
- Stained glass by Innsbruck Glassmakers of the Austrian Tyrol (c. 1904)
- Christopher Murphy murals, painted c. 1912
- Noack tracker organ installed 1987
- Rose window dedicated to St. Cecilia
Mass and the Sacraments
The Cathedral celebrates the Eucharist daily and offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Saturday morning and afternoon in the north-transept confessional. Incense is used at the 10 AM Sunday Mass, where a nursery is available. The parish does not celebrate a Latin Mass or a Spanish-language Mass. First Holy Communion preparation is provided through Children's Religious Education, with Confession received prior to First Communion. Weddings and other sacramental inquiries are handled through the parish office.
- Weekday Masses: Monday–Friday 7:30 AM and 12:00 PM
- Saturday 12:00 PM and 5:30 PM Vigil
- Sunday Masses 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM (incense), 11:30 AM
- Reconciliation: Saturday 11:00–11:45 AM and 4:15–5:00 PM
- Confessional in the north transept
- Sunday Mass livestream available via the Cathedral website
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Parish life is supported by a range of lay ministries. Children's Religious Education prepares children aged seven and older for the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. The Respect Life Ministry organizes public prayer outside abortion facilities, supports local Pregnancy Resource Centers, and leads Respect Life Month activities each October. The Caring Ministry is a home-based outreach that sends cards, prayers, and birthday greetings to parishioners throughout the year. Volunteers are welcomed in stewardship roles, and the Cathedral Preservation Society supports preservation of the building through the Cathedral Basilica Preservation Endowment Fund.
- Children's Religious Education (CRE)
- Respect Life Ministry
- Caring Ministry (cards, prayers, senior outreach)
- Cathedral Preservation Society / Preservation Endowment Fund
- Gift-shop proceeds support social outreach, education, and pastoral ministry
Visiting and Touring the Cathedral Basilica
The Cathedral is open to visitors and offers docent-led tours at no charge. Typical hours are weekdays 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, with Sunday visiting from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The church closes for liturgical services, funerals, weddings, and special events. Docents are typically available on weekdays; weekend availability is limited. The building is handicap accessible, with an elevator on Harris Street.
- Weekday hours: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday hours: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- No tickets required
- Docent tours available; tour inquiries [email protected]
- Handicap accessible with elevator on Harris Street
- Calendar for closures and schedule changes: savannahcathedral.org/monthly-calendar
Clergy, Staff, and Diocese
The Cathedral is led by Rector Very Rev. Msgr. J. Gerard Schreck, JCD, JV, VF, with Rev. Drew Larkin serving as Parochial Vicar, Rev. Joseph P. Mullin, Jr. retired in residence, and Rev. Dr. Dewain E. Smith as Permanent Deacon. It is the seat of the Most Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, D.D., Bishop of Savannah, with Most Rev. Kevin Boland, D.D., as Bishop Emeritus. Lay staff support parish operations, music, religious education, food services, housekeeping, and maintenance. The parish belongs to the Savannah Deanery of the Diocese of Savannah.
- Rector: Msgr. J. Gerard Schreck, JCD
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Drew Larkin
- Retired, in residence: Fr. Joseph P. Mullin, Jr.
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Dr. Dewain E. Smith
- Bishop: Most Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, D.D.
- Bishop Emeritus: Most Rev. Kevin Boland, D.D.
- Director of Music: Dr. Paul Thornock
- Office Assistant: Brenda Price
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jeremiah F. O'Neill, Sr.1850-1870
First rector of the Cathedral after the Diocese of Savannah was erected. Died July 12, 1870.
- Rev. John F. Kirby1870-1872
Died April 4, 1872.
- Rev. Michael Cullinan1872-1877
Died February 23, 1877.
- Rev. (later Msgr.) Edward Cafferty1877-1896
Died May 16, 1922.
- Rev. Benjamin J. Kiely1896-1900
Became the 7th Bishop of Savannah (June 3, 1900); resigned February 13, 1922; died June 17, 1925.
- Rev. Robert F. Kennedy1900-1907
Died March 12, 1930.
- Rev. Godfrey F. X. Schadewell1907-1918
Died July 16, 1922. Directed the post-fire redecoration, murals, and stained glass installation.
- Rev. (later Msgr.) James A. Kane1918-1919
Later a Monsignor. Died January 29, 1939.
- Rev. (later Msgr.) Joseph D. Mitchell1919-1922
Later a Monsignor. Died January 2, 1965.
- Rev. Timothy A. Foley1922-1928
Pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church, Savannah, July 12, 1928; joined the Order of Friars Minor in 1932. Died 1944.
- Msgr. Joseph F. Croke1928-1938
Died October 19, 1951.
- Msgr. T. James McNamara1938-1967
Aided Bishop McDonough through the 1959–1963 renovation. Died October 28, 1970.
- Rev. Lawrence A. Lucree1967-1970
First of two terms as rector.
- Rev. (later Bishop) J. Kevin Boland1970-1972
Became the 13th Bishop of Savannah (appointed April 18, 1995).
- Msgr. Daniel J. Bourke1972-1974
Died September 17, 1998.
- Rev. Lawrence A. Lucree1974-1976
Second term as rector.
- Msgr. Felix G. Donnelly1976-1981
Died January 12, 2002.
- Rev. Herbert J. Wellmeier1981-1988
Died October 18, 2005.
- Rev. William F. Simmons1988-1996
- Msgr. William O. O'Neill1996-2013
Directed the 1998–2000 restoration and personally confronted the 2003 arsonist in the cathedral.
- Msgr. J. Gerard Schreck, JCD2013-present
Current rector; also a Permanent Deacon (Rev. Dr. Dewain E. Smith) and Parochial Vicar (Rev. Drew Larkin) serve under him.
