28/09/2026
In the heart of downtown Lafayette stands more than a beautiful church—it stands as a witness to over 200 years of Acadiana history.
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist began in 1821 as L’Église St-Jean du Vermilion, on land donated by Jean Mouton, the founder of Vermilionville—now Lafayette.
The present red-and-white brick church, the third built on this site, was completed in 1916. In 1918, when the Diocese of Lafayette was established, St. John became its cathedral and mother church.
Its historic grounds are also home to St. John Cemetery and the magnificent Cathedral Oak, estimated to be approximately 500 years old.
For generations, this sacred place has stood at the center of Lafayette—preserving our faith, our history and the stories of those who came before us.
