The Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptistin St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador is the metropolitan cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's, Newfoundland and the mother church and symbol of Roman Catholicism in Newfoundland.

Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Religion

Affiliation
Roman Catholic

District
Archdiocese of St. John's

Ecclesiastical or organizational status
Minor basilica
Metropolitan cathedral

Leadership
Archbishop Martin Currie

Location

Location
200 Military Road
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
A1C 5M3

Architecture

Architect(s)
John Philpot Jones

Architectural type
Latin Cross, basilica

Architectural style
Lombard Romanesque

Completed
1855

Specifications

Direction of façade
East

Capacity
2,500 seated

Length
85 metres (279 ft)

Width
65 metres (213 ft)

Width (nave)
16 metres (52 ft)

Height (max)
48 metres (157 ft)

Materials
Irish granite & limestone
Newfoundlandsandstone
Italian marble
Egyptian travertine

Official name
Basilica of St. John the Baptist National Historic Site of Canada

Designated
1983

Website

www.thebasilica.ca

The Basilica-Cathedral was the largest building project to its date in Newfoundland history. Construction lasted from the excavation of the ground in May 1839, through the laying of the cornerstone in May 1841, until the completion and consecration on September 9, 1855. At this time, it was the largest church building in North America and remains the second largest in Canada after Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal.

On October 17, 2007, Bishop Martin Currie of the Grand Falls diocese was appointed archbishop of St. John's. He assumed his position on November 30, 2007.[1]