St. Joseph's Old Cathedral, Oklahoma City

Saint鈥疛oseph鈥檚 Old Cathedral traces its roots back to the city鈥檚 Land Run of 1889. The original modest wooden structure鈥攚here early Masses were held in a tent鈥攚as 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鈥檚 first cathedral in 1905, before being renamed the 鈥淥ld Cathedral鈥� in 1931 when the diocesan seat moved.

Walking through Saint Joseph鈥檚 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鈥攎eticulously cleaned stained glass, restored plaster medallions, polished brass fittings, and refinished pews.

Perhaps the most poignant chapter in the cathedral鈥檚 history came after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Though heavily damaged鈥攖he blast shattered windows, crushed the pipe organ, and shifted the roof鈥攖he 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.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oklahoma City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

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:

Oklahoma City Historical Buildings

Walking Tours in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Create Your Own Walk in Oklahoma City

Creating your own self-guided walk in Oklahoma City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Oklahoma City Historical Buildings

Home to an attractive variety of historic edifices, the capital of Oklahoma State provides interesting sightseeing opportunities for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike. Eye-catching religious sights and structures of great architectural and historic importance abound in downtown Oklahoma City in equal measure.

A brief look at some of the notable sites is best started at the Henry... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Downtown To Bricktown

Oklahoma City's Downtown and vibrant Bricktown area to its east complement each other, housing some of the most prominent landmarks in the city, including abundant dining and entertainment options that the state capital has to offer.

On this self-guided walk, you will start from the Oklahoma City National Memorial downtown, a poignant reminder of the tragic events of April 19, 1995. The... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

Oklahoma City Introduction Walking Tour

As the state capital of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City is the largest city in this state. Much of the city's settlement occurred during the Great Land Rush of 1889. Native Americans representing several tribes were among some of the region's earliest settlers. Tribal emblems and imagery make up much of the symbolism common in this city.

Many of the city's most iconic buildings date back... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles

黑料吃瓜网