St. Joseph Cathedral

Specialties

Founded in 1792, St. Joseph Cathedral Parish is a Roman Catholic community of faith affirming God’s presence and action in the world by giving witness to our savior Jesus Christ.

The Cathedral building itself is located at 401 Main Street, on the corner of Fourth and Main Streets.

History

Established in 1792.

Founded while Louisiana was a Spanish colony, the Church Parish of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores has served the predominantly French– and later English-​speaking Christians since 1792. Its name was changed to St. Joseph Parish in the 1830s. Its present edifice, begun in 1853, is the oldest church building in Baton Rouge. It was designated a Cathedral in 1961 when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge was established. It continues to serve as a downtown Parish church as well as the liturgical «mother church» of the entire 5,513 square mile diocesan territory.