Of architectural note are the 60 stained glass windows depicting the Twelve Apostles, Old Testament characters, scenes from the Bible, and from the church's connection to St. Albert, the first diocese in Alberta.

At the time the city's main Franco-Albertan church, St. Joachim’s, was no longer able to cope with the booming population of English speaking parishioners.

Construction of the church was halted until 1924 due to World War I (the cathedral's architect, Roland Walter Lines, was killed serving in the conflict).

St. Joseph's Cathedral was named a minor basilica shortly before Pope John Paul II visited Edmonton in 1984.

However the number of people who attended perpetual adoration had been declining when on the morning of February 28, 1980 an arsonist set the altar and crucifix on fire, causing smoke and water damage to the whole building.

As a result of the fire the church ended both its open door policy and the practice of perpetual adoration.

[3] It also had its share of fame when parishioners shrugged off the controversy and international publicity surrounding the wedding of hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky to actress Janet Jones, both non-Catholics.

Of architectural note are the 60 stained glass windows depicting the Twelve Apostles, Old Testament characters, scenes from the Bible, and from the church's connection to St. Albert, the first diocese in Alberta.