FRIDAY SKY - CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, SAVANNAH

According to the Cathedral's website, "French Catholic emigres established Savannah's first parish, called the Congregation de Saint Jean-Baptiste, shortly before the end of the 18th century." Many of these emigres were nobles fleeing the French Revolution that had begun in 1789. In 1849, the Church of Saint John the Baptist, then the only Catholic church in Savannah, became the Cathedral.

In 1876, the new brick Cathedral was dedicated. The style was of French Gothic with imposing nave and transepts. Bronze-colored iron columns supported triple rows of groined arches. The brick structure was also stuccoed and whitewashed. The building of the spires was completed in 1896.

In 1898, the Cathedral survived the fire that nearly destroyed the structure, only the outside walls and the two spires remained standing. The Cathedral was rebuilt and re-dedicated in October 1900. A major restoration of over 50 stained glass windows was completed in November 2000, in time for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the diocese and the 100th anniversary of the re-dedication of the Cathedral.