10 Magnificent Oldest Churches And Cathedrals In America

Have You Seen Any Of These Amazing Oldest Episcopal Churches In The USA?

In each country across the globe, sacred and spiritual places have been the destination of travel for hundreds of years. Churches, cathedrals, and many other places of worship are usually among the most visited… and for good reason!

These sacred sites amaze and surprise visitors with their pristine structure, beautifully intricate designs, and history. While Europe is rightfully famed for its rich history and religious sites, the US also has many sacred landmarks that are worth visiting.

None may be more profound than the enchanting oldest episcopal churches in the USA, with their jaw-dropping architecture and interior designs.

We’ve found 10 of the most beautiful cathedrals and churches in OUR country, so pack your most comfortable walking shoes and get ready to be inspired for your next trip!

Click next to continue reading…

Cathedral of San Juan Bautista

Where? San Juan, Puerto Rico
Year Built: 1521
Religion: Roman Catholic
Still In Use? Yes

First constructed in 1521, this cathedral is the oldest church in America. About thirty years after the Spanish first came to the New World and founded the colonial Caribbean capital in San Juan, they brought Roman Catholicism with them and initially built a wooden church.

But a hurricane quickly destroyed it, and a stone cathedral was constructed instead.

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, who had a close connection to the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista and even served as the governor of Puerto Rico, was one of the first to be interred at the cathedral.

Unfortunately, Juan Ponce de León died the same year the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista was completed. Today, this cathedral is still open to the public for church services and as a well-known tourist attraction.

Fun Fact: The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is actually the second permanent cathedral built in the New World

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

Where? St. Louis, Missouri
Year Built: 1914
Religion: Roman Catholic
Still In Use? Yes

Constructed as a substitute for the previous Cathedral of St. Louis, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis was finished in 1914. It currently serves as the seat for the archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis but is most known for its collection of mosaics.

With over 41.5 million individual glass tesserae pieces, the cathedral has the most extensive mosaic collection in the world besides Russia. These works of art were first installed in 1912 and finally completed in 1988.

While most of them depict Biblical scenes, a section of the cathedral’s artwork is dedicated to King Louis IX of France and his life, the church’s namesake.

In addition to its mosaics, the cathedral is also home to a famous crypt, which currently houses three one-time cardinals, and The Angel of Harmony sculpture was installed in 1999. The statue, which depicts a winged angel with three children, symbolizes racial harmony.

Fun Fact: The very first parachute jump from a moving airplane was made in St. Louis.

Old Indian Meeting House

Where? Mashpee, Massachusetts
Year Built: 1684
Religion: Native American/Christian
Still In Use? Yes

As the name implies, the Old Indian Meeting House is the oldest Native American church in the eastern US.

According to most origins, the Old Indian Meeting House was first constructed in 1684 by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, which was converted to Christianity by European colonists.

Most reports about the present Old Indian Meeting House state that the 1684 church was moved to its current site in 1717.

But, there are some local historians that dispute this claim and believe that the church you see today is not the original structure from 1684.

Even though no one knows for certain whether or not the current Old Indian Meeting House is the original one, the church is cherished by the Mashpee Wampanoags.

In 2009, after a series of extensive renovations, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe re-opened the church for their own use.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Where? New York City, New York
Year Built: 1858
Religion: Roman Catholic
Still In Use? Yes

This is assumably one of the most well-recognized on our list and is an esteemed church to receive a papal visit in our country. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is also the archbishop’s seat for the Archdiocese of New York.

It was first built in 1858 but was only dedicated in 1879 after taking a break in construction because of the Civil War. Made in a distinctive Neo-Gothic style, the cathedral is considered one of the most prominent symbols of Catholicism in New York City.

Due to its status in this city, to most Catholics in the US, St. Patrick’s has been visited by four Popes since the mid-20th century: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.

The cathedral is also famous for its two pipe organs and its extensive collection of stained glass windows. It was most recently renovated between 2012 and 2015.

San Esteban del Rey Mission Church

Where? Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico
Year Built: 1629
Religion: Roman Catholic
Still in Use? Museum

This church was constructed in 1629 by Franciscan monks who came to Acoma Pueblo to convert the indigenous people to Christianity. The Mission Church had mainly been built with the same adobe bricks used on the rest of the Acoma Pueblo’s structures.

However, the roof parts were made with timber from the San Mateo Mountains, which is over 30 miles away from the Acoma Pueblo. During the 1600s, the Spanish built a few missions to control their colonial empire in New Mexico.

After the violence between the Spanish and Acoma, Friar Juan Ramirez founded the San Estevan del Rey Mission. Over the next couple of decades, the Spanish worked painfully to replace Acoma beliefs with Christianity.

Behind the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, the Acoma managed to take back control of their Pueblo for a couple of years but were finally overpowered in 1696.

Since the Mission Church is on Acoma Pueblo lands, this oldest episcopal church in the USA only serves as a tourist attraction today.

San Fernando Cathedral

Where? San Fernando, Texas
Year Built: 1738
Religion: Roman Catholic
Still in Use? Yes

First built sometime between 1738 and 1750, the San Fernando Cathedral, sometimes known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe, is one of the oldest episcopal churches in the USA.

Settlers from the Canary Islands constructed it, and the cathedral has been dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria, which is the patroness of the Islands.

Besides being the oldest cathedral in Texas, San Fernando Cathedral has also been visited by Pope John Paul II in 1987, the first and only papal visit to Texas.

This honor allowed the cathedral to join an elite group of churches that popes have visited since 1965. In 2003, the cathedral experienced a significant restoration, which saw a change in the church’s interior, replacing its rectory and constructing a community center.

Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Where? Boston, Massachusetts
Year Built: 1870
Religion: Roman Catholic
Still in Use? Yes

First founded by priests of the Most Holy Redeemer, you’ll find the Basilica and Shrine of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood. Initially built in 1870, it was rebuilt into a grander structure beginning in 1874 and dedicated in 1878.

However, the basilica’s claim to fame came after a replica icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was installed over the altar in the church in 1871. The original 15th-century icon depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary and comes from the Byzantine Empire.

After the representation was installed at the basilica, reports of miraculous recovery were declared and attributed to mediation by the Virgin Mary. Her interventions were widely reported, and hundreds began visiting the icon in the hopes of being healed.

Because of these numerous healings, the shrine has performed a weekly blessing of the sick since 1874. The basilica has also hosted many significant events, including the funeral of Senator Edward Kennedy.

St. Luke’s Church

Where? Benns Church, Virginia
Year Built: 1682 (but some sources say 1632)
Religion: First Anglican, then Episcopal
Still in Use: Museum

This church is a rare example of what is known as Artisan Mannerism Architecture from the 17th century. The church’s architecture blends Gothic, Romanesque, and Jacobean elements. St. Luke’s Church was an Anglican church built sometime around the 17th century.

There have been arguments over this church’s age, with local legends saying the church has been around since 1632 and architectural historians and archaeologists placing the church much later to around the 1680s.

Additionally, St. Luke’s Church claims it is one of the oldest episcopal churches in the USA. However, St. Mary’s Whitechapel is older, and parts of the Jamestown Church from 1639 have also survived.

Regardless of its actual age, St. Luke’s Church has been carefully looked after, and much of the building’s exterior is original. An active congregation no longer uses St. Luke’s Church and now serves as a museum and National Historic Landmark.

Jamestown Church

Where? Jamestown, Virginia
Year Built: 1617
Religion: Anglican
Still in Use: Yes

Located in Virginia, Jamestown Church was built not long after the British colonists arrived in the New World. It also happens to be one of the oldest buildings in the country, with the initial foundations going back to 1617 and the brick church next to it dating back to 1639.

This is the historic location where the first representative government of what would later become the United States of America met.

Regardless, in the 1700s, the church was left behind and began to fall into decay, and in 1907 a reconstruction church was constructed next to the original tower.

These days, the foundations of the 1617 church and the 1639 church can be viewed under glass at the reconstructed church. This historic landmark is an essential piece of American history and is definitely worth visiting if you’re in the area.

Old Trinity Church

Where? Church Creek, Maryland
Year Built: 1671
Religion: Episcopal
Still in Use: Yes

Compared to any of the other churches on this list, the Old Trinity Church is actually relatively small, but that doesn’t make it any less important. The church itself is just 38 feet long and 20 feet wide.

Old Trinity Church was constructed around 1671 in Church Creek, Maryland, and is one of the oldest episcopal churches in the USA.

There are still services that are regularly held at this old church, and it’s believed that this is the longest-running Episcopal congregation in the US.

The original church was there for a small community of English settlers, and in 1853, the church was updated to reflect the Gothic-style architecture of the time. That’s when the church was also renamed the Old Trinity Church.

There were times in the past when this structure fell into near disrepair, but it has managed to survive because of the residents who helped keep it going. Starting from 1953 to 1960, the Old Trinity Church was revived to its original colonial style by the Garbish family.

Our country is VERY rich in history, so if you want to learn more, check out: 50 Incredible Oldest Towns In The US