St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Cathedral, while showing a 1940s exterior renovation that belies its 1852 construction, sits at a busy intersection in downtown Cleveland.

The original design of the cathedral was by Irish architect Patrick Keely, who was active out of Brooklyn and is responsible for churches throughout the eastern United States.

While heavily restored, the interior perhaps gives a greater impression of the cathedral’s age. The groin vaulting is very well done.

The wood reredos over the high altar is a highlight of the interior.

The stained glass, in small lancet windows, perhaps showing that construction had to be relatively conservative in its implementation in the 1850s, has some nice compositions. Below is Christ confounding the Elders in the Great Temple of Jerusalem. Note Mary and Joseph coming in, having just discovered their son safe and sound.