St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica's roots go back to 1853 when the Catholic Church sent priests on horseback to minister to the settlers around the port of Beaumont.

Vital Quinon built St. Louis Church and established the first formal Catholic parish community in Beaumont.

St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica is the direct successor to this small limited seating structure and parish community.

The first major interior restoration took place under Bishop Christopher Byrne, of the Diocese of Galveston, and Monsignor E. A. Kelly in 1937.

Extensive landscaping to the grounds was introduced, the exterior was renewed, the copper dome restored and a 2,500-pipe Wicks organ installed.

[1] On July 11, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI recognized the historical significance of Saint Anthony Cathedral by proclaiming it a minor basilica.

Referred to by a wide variety of names, such as ombrellino and basilica pavilion, umbrellas (fully opened) were once used during papal processions through the streets of Rome to protect the pope from the weather.