The Cathedral of the Assumption, completed in 1852, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville and one of the finest Gothic Revival churches in the American Midwest. The building was designed by William Keely, who also designed St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, and the exterior stonework — particularly the tall spire and the carved limestone portal — is genuinely impressive by any standard.
Inside, the vaulted nave is lit by stained glass windows installed in the late 19th century, and the acoustics are excellent — the cathedral hosts regular concerts. It sits on Fifth Street in downtown Louisville, easy to include in a walking tour of the central city. Free to enter during visiting hours; Mass schedules are posted at the entrance.