The first Catholic church in Boise was dedicated on Christmas Eve 1870, but was destroyed in a fire 18 days later.
Another frame structure was built that would serve as the cathedral of the Vicariate Apostolic of Idaho, established March 5, 1883, and the Diocese of Boise after it was established on August 25, 1893.
It was located on the northwest corner of Ninth and Bannock Streets.
As the city grew, a larger cathedral was needed and Bishop Alphonse Glorieux purchased property bounded by Fort, Hays, Eighth, and Ninth Streets.
He laid the cornerstone for the present cathedral in 1906.
So as not to be a financial drain on the parish, the church building was built in stages.
After the lower level was completed the parish worshiped there.
The walls and roof were completed in 1912, and the cathedral was completed in 1921 during the episcopate of Bishop Daniel Gorman, who dedicated it on March 27, Easter Sunday.

The rectory behind the cathedral was completed in 1906 for $12,000 as the Bishop Glorieux house.
The 2½-story Tudor Revival structure features large gabled dormers, exposed rafters under all of the lateral eaves, a stone foundation, brick veneer and stone quoins on the first floor, and half-timbering on the second floor.

The present school building, called St. Joseph's School, was completed in 1925.
The two-story brick structure was built for $35,000.
The gymnasium was added to the school building in 1948.
It is a two-story concrete structure.
The school's name memorializes St. Joseph's church in Idaho City, which was destroyed by fire in 1867.
It was the first Catholic church in the area.
The first Catholic church in Boise was dedicated on Christmas Eve 1870, but was destroyed in a fire 18 days later. Another frame structure was built that would serve as the cathedral of the Vicariate Apostolic of Idaho, established March 5, 1883, and the Diocese of Boise after it was established on August 25, 1893. It was located on the northwest corner of Ninth and Bannock Streets. As the city grew, a larger cathedral was needed and Bishop Alphonse Glorieux purchased property bounded by Fort, Hays, Eighth, and Ninth Streets. He laid the cornerstone for the present cathedral in 1906. So as not to be a financial drain on the parish, the church building was built in stages. After the lower level was completed the parish worshiped there. The walls and roof were completed in 1912, and the cathedral was completed in 1921 during the episcopate of Bishop Daniel Gorman, who dedicated it on March 27, Easter Sunday.
The rectory behind the cathedral was completed in 1906 for $12,000 as the Bishop Glorieux house. The 2½-story Tudor Revival structure features large gabled dormers, exposed rafters under all of the lateral eaves, a stone foundation, brick veneer and stone quoins on the first floor, and half-timbering on the second floor.
The present school building, called St. Joseph's School, was completed in 1925. The two-story brick structure was built for $35,000. The gymnasium was added to the school building in 1948. It is a two-story concrete structure. The school's name memorializes St. Joseph's church in Idaho City, which was destroyed by fire in 1867. It was the first Catholic church in the area.
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (Boise, Idaho)