Basilica of St. John the Baptist

The Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint John's and the spiritual heart of Newfoundland's Catholic community. Built from 1850 in the Neo-Romanesque style, its twin sandstone towers are among the most recognizable landmarks on the St. John's skyline, and the building holds the papal designation of Basilica minor. Designated a National Historic Site of Canada, it stands as a monument to the Irish Catholic immigrant community whose presence shaped the city's identity through the 19th century. The interior features ornate stained glass and heavy masonry vaulting consistent with the Romanesque revival ideal. Regular masses are held today, and the cathedral remains an active seat of the archdiocese rather than a museum piece.