Saint John Cathedral, Lafayette LA

Saint John Cathedral in Lafayette was founded in 1821 and I really was looking forward to seeing the inside of the building. Actually, this one was the third building built on the site and dates only to 1916, but *still*. When we stopped by, the doors were open and they were preparing for Mass.  It’s just gorgeous:

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette LA

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette LA

The center mosaic on the main altar is of a mother pelican feeding her babies.
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette LA

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette LA

In underground crypts, Bishop Jules Benjamin Jeanmard and Bishop Maurice Schexnayder, the first two bishops of Lafayette are interred:
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette LA

Relic of Saint Jean-Charles Cornay, a French missionary who was martyred in Vietnam.  He was canonized in 1998 by Pope John Paul II.
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette LA

behind, the cemetery — which is the oldest one in the city.

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette LA

and this, the Saint John Oak Tree — and legend has it that the first pastor of this church chose to have the church built here because of this majestic tree, which at that time, it would have been ~275 years old. It’s the third-oldest member of the Live Oak Society.
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette LA

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