About St. John the Evangelist · Cleveland, Ohio
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio at the corner of East 9th Street and Superior Avenue. Founded in 1848 and consecrated in 1852, it is one of the oldest Catholic congregations in the diocese and continues to function as both a cathedral and an active parish. The church is administered by the Diocese of Cleveland under Bishop Edward Malesic and currently welcomes daily Mass, confessions, adoration, and concerts in its renovated downtown complex.
- Established
- 1848
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph R. Mamich
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist is the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and serves a vibrant downtown parish with daily Mass, multiple Sunday liturgies, weekday confessions, monthly Eucharistic adoration, and a strong music and fine-arts program including the Wednesday Concert Series. Beyond its role as the bishop's seat, it is a working parish with active liturgical ministries, family and youth faith formation (including Good News Adventure and UPLIFT Families), outreach through the Open Door Café and La Sagrada Familia, and a long tradition of welcoming worshippers in the heart of Cleveland.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
- Monday – Friday: 6:30 – 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (during renovation, in the chapel at 1404 E. 9th St.)
Adoration times
- First Monday of the month at 5:45 PM (per Diocese of Cleveland parish directory)
History of the Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, founded just months after the diocese was erected in 1847. First bishop Louis Amadeus Rappe chose a downtown site on Erie (East 9th) Street and Superior Avenue, and the cornerstone was laid on October 22, 1848. The Keeley-designed Gothic brick church was consecrated on November 7, 1852, and has been remodeled several times since — most dramatically in 1946–1948 (centennial refacing in Tennessee sandstone, sanctuary enlarged to 1,500) and 1977 (Vatican II sanctuary redesign). The cathedral celebrated its 175th anniversary on October 12, 2024.
- Cornerstone laid October 22, 1848
- Consecrated November 7, 1852 by Bishop Purcell of Cincinnati
- Architect: Patrick Charles Keeley (Ornamental Gothic)
- Centennial remodel 1946–1948 by Stickle, Kelly and Stickle
- Vatican II renovation 1977 by Bishop James A. Hickey
- Tower bells installed 1988
- 175th anniversary Mass with Bishop Malesic, October 12, 2024
Music, Choirs and Fine Arts
Music and the fine arts are a defining part of the cathedral's identity, building on its long tradition as Cleveland's mother church. The parish maintains multiple cathedral choirs and ensembles and a notable pipe organ, and it hosts both a Wednesday Concert Series and a broader Fine Arts Series that bring sacred and classical music into the downtown church.
- Cathedral Choirs and Ensembles
- Cathedral Organs
- Wednesday Concert Series (weekly)
- Fine Arts Series (special concerts and cultural events)
Faith Formation and Education
Faith formation at the cathedral serves children, youth, and adults. The parish publishes an online family and children's faith enrichment library with videos, Stations of the Cross for children, and Formed.org resources. Catholic East Elementary, Good News Adventure, UPLIFT Families Sacramental preparation, and SPRED (Special Religious Education for persons with developmental disabilities) round out parish-based catechetical programs. Adults exploring the Catholic faith join the OCIA process that begins each September and culminates at the Easter Vigil.
- Catholic East Elementary (school)
- Good News Adventure (children)
- UPLIFT Families – Sacraments preparation
- SPRED for persons with developmental disabilities
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic (adults)
- Online family faith enrichment videos
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is central to the cathedral's downtown mission. The Open Door Café feeds the hungry, the Prison Ministry brings the sacraments to incarcerated Catholics, and La Sagrada Familia serves the Spanish-speaking community. The Prayer Link Ministry accompanies the sick and homebound, and the Funeral Preparation team supports grieving families.
- Open Door Café
- Prison Ministry
- La Sagrada Familia (Hispanic outreach)
- Prayer Link Ministry
- Funeral Preparation
Clergy, Staff and Governance
The cathedral is led by its pastor, the Rev. Joseph R. Mamich, who was installed by Bishop Edward Malesic on August 10, 2025, after serving as administrator since January 2025. Father Mamich simultaneously serves as Secretary and Vicar for Clergy and Religious for the Diocese of Cleveland. The cathedral is also served by associate clergy, two permanent deacons, and a lay staff listed in the diocesan directory. The cathedral rectory is the operational hub for many diocesan offices housed at Cathedral Square Plaza.
- Rev. Joseph R. Mamich – Pastor
- Rev. Donald Oleksiak – Clergy
- Rev. Timothy Roth – Clergy
- Deacon Matthew Lawler
- Deacon John Sferry
- Joanne Laessig (parish office)
- Pamela Akins, Dina Williams, Ken Misconish, Steve Otlowski, Olga Kurilov, Alberto Naphtali, Tom Fielding (rectory/diocesan staff at 1007 Superior Ave / 1404 E. 9th St.)
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Adults who wish to be baptized, received into full communion, or complete their sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation are welcomed into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The parish group meets weekly on Tuesday evenings from September through May, with the sacraments celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Inquirers are invited to contact the parish office.
- OCIA meetings: Tuesdays 7:00–9:00 PM, September–May
- Open to the unbaptized, baptized Christians, and baptized Catholics needing Eucharist/Confirmation
- Sacraments received at the Easter Vigil
Support the Cathedral
Parishioners and visitors can support the cathedral's worship, music, outreach, and formation ministries through online giving and the annual Catholic Stewardship Appeal of the Diocese of Cleveland. The cathedral also promotes the St. Francis de Sales Seminary 'Zeal for the Lord's House' capital campaign and publishes a Financial Summary page.
- Online giving via the parish website
- 2026 Catholic Stewardship Appeal (Diocese of Cleveland)
- St. Francis de Sales Seminary 'Zeal for the Lord's House' Campaign
- Parish Financial Summary page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Louis de Goesbriandto 1853
First appointed pastor; named Bishop of Burlington, Vermont in 1853.
- Bishop Louis Amadeus Rappe1853–1870
First Bishop of Cleveland; took over as pastor upon de Goesbriand's elevation, served until resigning as bishop.
- Father Sean P. Ralphto June 30, 2025
Served as rector of the cathedral; reassigned as pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, Parma, effective June 30, 2025.
- Rev. Joseph R. MamichAugust 10, 2025–present
Served as administrator from Jan. 13, 2025; installed by Bishop Malesic as pastor on Aug. 10, 2025.