Established by Haitian and French immigrants in the late 1700s, the present Cathedral Basilica Of St. John The Baptist stands as a testament to architectural grandeur and historical significance. Its cornerstone was laid on November 19, 1873, under the guidance of the Right Reverend Ignatius Persico, marking the beginning of a structure designed by the esteemed architect Ephraim Francis Baldwin. Baldwin’s vision for the church embraced the High Victorian Gothic style, skillfully incorporating French building traditions to create a space that is both awe-inspiring and deeply spiritual.
High Victorian Gothic, often referred to as Gothic Revival, is immediately recognizable by its emphasis on verticality. From the exterior of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, this characteristic is strikingly apparent in the twin spired towers that ascend dramatically skyward. These towers, along with the steeply pitched gabled roof situated between them, collectively contribute to the structure’s soaring presence. The iconic pointed arch windows and doorways further accentuate this upward visual movement, guiding the eye towards a central, elevated focus and fostering a sense of ascension.
This emphasis on height continues within the Cathedral’s interior, where cross-ribbed vault ceilings create an atmosphere intended to elevate the spirit. These architectural elements were deliberately designed to impart to parishioners a feeling of closeness to the divine. Constructed with brick masonry, a favored material of the period, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist was stuccoed and whitewashed around 1896, coinciding with the addition of its majestic spires. Another hallmark of High Victorian Gothic, polychromy—the incorporation of contrasting colors—is richly displayed within the interior and subtly evident on the exterior, adding layers of visual interest and depth.
Reflecting the layout of numerous French Gothic cathedrals, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is designed in the shape of a Latin cross. This cruciform layout is particularly discernible from an aerial perspective, where the contrasting lines of the hip and gable roof clearly define the cross shape. Enhancing the Gothic style’s inherent ornateness, the Cathedral features intricate decorative tracing within its rose window, slender columns that gracefully meet the vaulted ceilings, and elaborate carvings and vibrant colors throughout the sanctuary. These details collectively underscore the architectural richness and spiritual intent embodied within the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
