Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

St. John's looks like it was lifted from an English hillside and set down on Spokane's South Hill. It is 257 feet long and 180 feet tall, built of cut stone, and you can see its tower from several parts of the city.

Step inside and the scale changes. Tall stone arches, carved details and a long line of stained glass windows make the nave feel quiet and cool, even in July. You do not need to be religious to enjoy it. Plenty of visitors come for the architecture and the glass.

It is also an active Episcopal cathedral, so check the visiting hours and respect services. A visit takes 30 to 60 minutes and pairs naturally with Manito Park, which is a short drive away.

What to see and do

Local tips

• Enter through the Welcome Center on 12th Avenue during visiting hours.
• Self-guided visits are Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Guided tours are listed for Fridays, noon to 3 pm.
• Services are on Saturday evening, Sunday morning and Wednesday noon. Visit outside those times if you want to look around freely.
• Bring a camera for the windows, and go on a sunny morning or afternoon when the light comes through the glass.
• Dress for a place of worship and keep your voice down inside.
• Pair it with Manito Park, about a mile away, for an easy South Hill half day.
• Call ahead (509-838-4277) if you have a group or want to confirm a tour.

A little history

Three Spokane Episcopal parishes merged in 1929 to form the cathedral congregation. Building started in the mid-1920s under Spokane architect Harold C. Whitehouse, who studied European cathedrals and chose an English Gothic style with some French influence. The nave and high altar were done by late 1929.

Then the stock market crashed and construction stalled for roughly two decades. The tower, sanctuary and transepts were added later, and the cathedral was structurally finished in the 1950s. It is built of cut stone with sandstone from near Tacoma and some Indiana limestone.