St. Joseph's Old Cathedral, Oklahoma City

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St. Joseph's Old Cathedral, Oklahoma City

St. Joseph's Old Cathedral, Oklahoma City

Saint Joseph’s Old Cathedral traces its roots back to the city’s Land Run of 1889. The original modest wooden structure—where early Masses were held in a tent—was built just a month after priest Nicolas F. Scallon arrived, with a 650-lb bell imported. By 1901, a grander Gothic Revival church arose using Coffeyville brick, complete with a soaring central tower flanked by crenellated side towers. Dedicated in late 1904, it became Oklahoma’s first cathedral in 1905, before being renamed the “Old Cathedral” in 1931 when the diocesan seat moved.

Walking through Saint Joseph’s today, visitors encounter luminous stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings. The church survived years of neglect until a major restoration in 1976 brought back much of its original charm—meticulously cleaned stained glass, restored plaster medallions, polished brass fittings, and refinished pews.

Perhaps the most poignant chapter in the cathedral’s history came after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Though heavily damaged—the blast shattered windows, crushed the pipe organ, and shifted the roof—the resilient congregation led a two-year renovation culminating in a rededication in December 1996. The adjacent Italian marble statue, And Jesus Wept, installed in 1997, serves as a powerful memorial to those lost in the tragedy and a symbol of collective healing.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, it continues to welcome parishioners and tourists alike with weekly Masses and guided quiet reflection.

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St. Joseph's Old Cathedral on Map

Sight Name: St. Joseph's Old Cathedral
Sight Location: Oklahoma City, USA (See walking tours in Oklahoma City)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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