The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist — Attraction in Spokane

St. John’s Cathedral in Spokane, Washington is undeniably one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring buildings in the entire Inland Northwest. Whether you’re a person of deep faith or simply a lover of historic architecture, this church demands attention and reverence from the moment you arrive. From the outside, its towering stone spires and classic Gothic Revival design make it feel like a piece of Europe was carefully placed right in the middle of Spokane. The craftsmanship is staggering: flying buttresses, pointed arches, and stained glass windows all speak to a time when places of worship were constructed to inspire awe and humility.

Inside, the atmosphere is equally breathtaking. The main sanctuary is filled with warm light filtered through vibrant stained glass that tells biblical stories without a single spoken word. The acoustics are perfect for organ music or choral performances, and the entire space invites silence, reflection, and spiritual connection. Whether you attend a service or simply stop in to look around, it’s hard not to be moved by the peaceful energy of the place.

However, it’s also fair to say that St. John’s Cathedral has become more political than some might expect or prefer. Most notably, the large LGBTQ pride flag flying outside the building makes a bold statement—not just about inclusion, but about the church’s stance in current cultural debates. While many will see this as a positive message of welcome and acceptance, others might wonder whether a church should be so outwardly involved in political symbolism. For some, it feels more like a declaration of alignment with contemporary ideologies than a focus on spreading the gospel or maintaining neutrality as a house of worship.

That said, the clergy and community at St. John’s are genuinely kind, compassionate, and spiritually minded. Services are thoughtful and well-organized. The messages are typically grounded in Christian values, with an emphasis on love, justice, and mercy. Even if some of the visual symbols on the outside feel more tied to modern political movements than religious traditions, what happens inside still feels deeply rooted in faith and the teachings of Christ.

It’s also worth noting that this cathedral plays a major role in Spokane’s broader cultural life. It hosts concerts, lectures, and public events that draw people from all walks of life. As a center for reflection, music, community dialogue, and spiritual growth, it continues to serve the city in meaningful ways—even if it sometimes walks a line between church and cultural institution.

In the end, St. John’s Cathedral is still a very good church. It’s a place of incredible beauty, history, and depth. While the presence of political symbols like the pride flag may not be to everyone’s taste, they don’t diminish the fact that this cathedral remains a sanctuary for many. If you're in Spokane, it’s worth a visit—whether for worship, reflection, or simply to admire the legacy of a sacred space built to last for...

I have practiced organ here I love the clergy the staff and the congregation the organ has 72 ranks of pipes 64 stops and has a total of 4.098 pipes divided up into 5 sections the gallery division houses the trompete en chemade and is located above the main west end entrance in the original choir loft

The other four organ divisions are located above the choir stalls and above the archives room just off the north trancept and above all saints chapel in the south trancept

The organ was installed in 1962 by the the aeolian skinner organ company of Boston mass this is a fully symphonic organ and for a city the size of Spokane we are truly blessed to have a wonderful gothic treasure like this with a magnificent pipe organ unfortunately this organ would be one of the last aeolian skinner projects before they went out of business

The cathedral and our city are blessed to also have a 180.000 lb 49 cast bell carillon which is played every Sunday and on special events...

Beautiful architecture, a welcoming and loving extended family of patrons, a powerfully inspiring and accepting Bishop and engaging and friendly clergy are all part of St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Spokane. When they say "All are welcome", they truly mean anyone and everyone. They practice the original meaning of "catholic", (from the Greek word for "universal"), and accept anyone as a guest or patron regardless of faith, gender identity, denomination, cultural or social backgrounds, or abilities.

I have never been particularly religious, but these people have welcomed me with open arms and hearts, and they are willing to give and to guide at one's own pace. They take no offense at those who wish to sample the various other faith practices, and encourage whatever form of enlightenment best suits both oneself, and the...