Basilica of St. John the Baptist

The Basilica-Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist on Military Road is one of the most impressive Catholic churches in Atlantic Canada. Built in the Flemish Baroque style with twin towers and a prominent dome, it dominates the skyline above the city centre and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. John's. The building is particularly striking when seen from the harbour at a distance.

The interior is grand and well maintained, with good stained glass and an ornate high altar. The basilica serves an active parish and hosts regular classical concerts. The church can be visited during daylight hours; Mass times are posted at the entrance. The surrounding neighbourhood — Military Road and Garrison Hill — has a number of other 19th-century buildings worth noticing en route.

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Construction of the Basilica began in 1841 and took over 15 years to complete, largely because the Irish Catholic community of St. John's was funding it stone by stone through collections and donations. The Flemish Baroque twin towers — visible from the harbour — were the tallest structures in St. John's for most of the 19th century and remain landmarks on the city skyline today.

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