Historical Marker

Diocese of Bardstown

From 1808 to 1841 the Bardstown Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church provided leadership for a ten-state area. Under the guidance of Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget, the church at Bardstown became a religious and education center. In 1841 Flaget and the See of the diocese were moved to Louisville. Presented by Saint Joseph Cathedral.

Reverse

Saint Joseph Cathedral - Planned by Bishop Flaget and designed by John Rogers, the cathedral was dedicated Aug. 8, 1819. It is constructed of locally quarried stone, hand-made bricks, and pillars hewn from nearby trees. Catholics and Protestants donated materials, money, and labor to the project. It is first Roman Catholic cathedral built in U. S. west of Allegheny Mountains.