The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

Lafayette, Louisiana

This 1916 Dutch Romanesque Revival church had been last renovated in 1984 in a monochromatic scheme that covered most of the original decoration. Forty years later, the Cathedral was riddled with moisture issues resulting in plaster damage and peeling paint. After the exterior issues were addressed, the interior was next. The new decorative scheme was designed to honor the original design while adding special elements to glorify the Cathedral’s patron, St. John the Evangelist.

Historic photos from the early 1930s provided a glimpse into earlier decorative schemes, providing artists and designers an investigative tool to guide their initial planning in 2022. John’s gospel account in chapter 15 verse 5, “I am the vine, you are the branches” inspired the original interior design in 1936 featuring ornate, botanical motifs. To reincorporate this symbolic vine, interlaced stenciling was modeled from the original decoration throughout the nave spandrels.

Before Interior Decoration 

Existing portrait murals depicting Christ and the Apostles are more prominent with the added cool gray background and accents, establishing heightened color contrast between the blue ceiling and cream walls. The Latin text of John chapter 15 verse 5, “Ego sum vitis vos palmites,” brackets the mural of Christ on the golden triumphal arch, emphasizing the interconnectedness of faith through Jesus. Further connecting the interior space to the Cathedral’s patron, symbolic medallions of the eagle and scroll are present along the ribs, referencing the Gospel of John.

Metallic gold-painted accents adorn the nave capitals, while 23 kt gold-leaf was reserved for the sanctuary’s gold stars. These eight-pointed stars symbolize hope, guidance, and promise, connecting members of this parish to a larger community of believers as numerous as stars in the sky. A broad spectrum of 29 additional paint colors was utilized for new ornament, complementing the existing colors of the Cathedral’s stained glass windows. To harmonize both new and old designs, refurbished and restored sanctuary furnishings original to the church in 1936 were incorporated within the sanctuary’s marble embellishments.

The new interior for the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist creates a transcendent environment for worship, echoing the themes presented in the Gospel of John. This emphasis on scripture presents a fully realized interior with a focus on meaningful liturgical design.