Updated in September 2026, this Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is a Catholic cathedral in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, and the seat of the Diocese of Lafayette. Guided tours of the cathedral and its museum cost a $5 donation, while free multilingual digital and audio self-guided tours are also available online. This guide was updated in September 2026 and reflects the cathedral’s current tour donations and Mass schedule. Today the parish serves more than 2,800 families and remains an active spiritual and cultural landmark for downtown Lafayette.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Visiting is planned around the Mass schedule; Sunday Masses 7am, 9am, 11am, 5pm (Sat vigil 4pm) |
| Ticket prices | Guided tour $5 donation; self-guided booklet $5 donation; digital/audio tours free online |
| Address | 914 St. John Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 |
| Nearest transport/parking | Downtown Lafayette; street parking and nearby lots |
| Typical time needed | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist opening hours
The cathedral is an active parish church, so it doesn’t keep fixed public visiting hours like a museum; visits are best planned around its Mass schedule.
- Sunday Mass: 7am, 9am, 11am, and 5pm, with a Saturday vigil at 4pm.
- Daily Mass: Monday–Friday at 12:05pm, with additional Monday and Wednesday Masses at 5:30pm, and Saturday Mass at 8am.
- The Adoration Chapel of the Beloved Disciple is open 24/7 to parishioners with a code, with exposed adoration running Wednesday 6pm to Friday 10am.
- Visiting outside Mass times generally allows for a quieter, more relaxed self-guided or guided tour.
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist ticket prices
Guided tours of the cathedral and its museum cost a $5 donation.
| Tour type | Price |
|---|---|
| Guided tour | $5 donation |
| Self-guided tour booklet | $5 donation |
| Digital or audio self-guided tour (online) | Free |
Donations help fund the cathedral’s historic preservation and tour docent ministry. Groups larger than 15, including chartered buses and pilgrim groups, must reserve a tour time in advance.
Opening hours and tour prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. You can check current details on the official Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist site.
The cathedral is not part of a commercial city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS; no such multi-attraction pass currently operates in the Lafayette area.
How to get to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
The cathedral stands at 914 St. John Street, in the heart of downtown Lafayette.
It’s an easy walk from other downtown Lafayette attractions and a short drive from I-10 and Lafayette Regional Airport.
Parking at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Street parking and nearby downtown lots serve visitors to the cathedral.
Parking can be busier around Mass times, so plan to arrive a little early on Sundays and during daily Mass hours.
How long to spend at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to an hour at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, whether touring independently or with a guide.
Add extra time to visit the small on-site museum and gift shop, and to see the historic oak tree on the grounds. History enthusiasts working through the self-guided digital tour in detail may prefer to allow closer to 90 minutes.
Accessibility at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Contact the parish office in advance to arrange for specific accessibility needs, since the historic 1916 building predates many modern accessibility standards.
Call 337-232-1322 or use the tour request form on the official site to discuss accommodations ahead of your visit.
What to see at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
The present cathedral was dedicated on June 27, 1916, and built in the Romanesque Revival style under the direction of Monsignor William Joseph Teurlings, with plans drawn up by architect E.A. Cousin.
The parish itself dates to 1821, when landowner Jean Mouton donated land for a small chapel called Saint Jean du Vermilion, making it the first Catholic parish in what is now Lafayette Parish.
Saint John the Evangelist was elevated to Cathedral status in 1918, when the Diocese of Lafayette was created from the Diocese of New Orleans, with Rev. Jules Benjamin Jeanmard installed as the first bishop.
On the grounds stands the St. John Cathedral Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the United States, estimated at close to 500 years old. Standing about 126 feet high with a crown spread of 210 feet, it was one of the Live Oak Society’s 43 original member trees when the society formed in 1934.
Inside, look for stained glass windows produced in Munich depicting the life of St. John, oil paintings of Christ and the Apostles, and a Casavant Frères organ.
Earlier structures on the site were remodelled and enlarged over the decades, including an 1880s renovation under Father Ernest Forge that added electric lights, stained glass and an Italian marble altar, and a further beautification in the 1920s and 1930s that added marble wainscoting to the sanctuary.
The cathedral grounds also include a small museum and gift shop, and St. John’s Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in the city of Lafayette.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit outside of Mass times for an undisturbed self-guided tour. |
| Entry process | Pick up a self-guided tour booklet in the vestibule for a $5 donation, or use the free digital or audio tour on your phone. |
| Crowds | Book ahead for groups larger than 15 or chartered buses, to guarantee access. |
| Layout | Don’t miss the St. John Cathedral Oak on the grounds, one of the largest live oaks in the US. |
| On-site logistics | Dress modestly and keep voices low, since this is an active place of worship. |
Frequently asked questions about the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist open to visitors? | Yes, though it’s an active parish, so visiting is best planned around Mass times. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No for individuals; groups larger than 15 and chartered buses should reserve ahead. |
| Is there a fee to visit the cathedral? | Tours are by donation: $5 for a guided tour or self-guided booklet, with free digital and audio tours available online. |
| Can you see the famous oak tree at the cathedral? | Yes, the St. John Cathedral Oak stands on the grounds and is one of the largest live oaks in the United States. |
| Is the cathedral wheelchair accessible? | Contact the parish office in advance to arrange for specific accessibility needs. |
Things to do near the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
- Acadiana Center for the Arts – a downtown venue for visual and performing arts, within walking distance.
- Vermilionville – a 23-acre living history museum on the Bayou Vermilion, roughly 10 minutes’ drive.
- Jefferson Street – downtown Lafayette’s main dining and shopping strip, within walking distance.
- Lafayette Science Museum – a downtown science centre and planetarium, a short walk or drive.
- Children’s Museum of Acadiana – a hands-on museum for younger visitors, roughly 10 minutes’ drive.
Alternative attractions
- St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, LA – the oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral in the US, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours’ drive.
- St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge, LA – the seat of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, roughly 1 hour’s drive.
- St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, St. Martinville, LA – one of the oldest Catholic parishes in Acadiana, roughly 30 minutes’ drive.
- Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, New Iberia, LA – a historic Catholic church in the Bayou Teche region, roughly 30 to 40 minutes’ drive.
- St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Grand Coteau, LA – a 19th-century church in a historic village, roughly 30 to 40 minutes’ drive.
More Louisiana travel
Other Louisiana travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to know before visiting St Joseph Plantation, Felicity Plantation and Laura Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana.
- Practical guides to visiting the historic house museums of New Orleans: The BK House, Gallier House and Hermann-Grima House.
- Plan your visit to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans.
- Practical guide to visiting Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.
- 9 New Orleans tours worth booking – and which to skip.
