In 1876 Bishop Quinn suggested that a site be found for the construction of a suitable cathedral as the parish was to become a Diocese.

Apparently local architects, Eaton and Bates were involved with the design of this final stage of construction.

On 15 October 1899, an official opening ceremony was held when Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran of the Sydney Archdiocese celebrated Pontifical High Mass.

[1][5] On 22 July 1902, the remains of Bishop Cani were exhumed and re-interred in St Joseph's Cathedral in a "brief but impressive" ceremony.

In 1980 the church received advice that the temporary wall of 1899 was unsafe and a programme was instigated for finally finishing the building.

On 22 May 1982 Cardinal Sir James Darcy Freeman, Archbishop of Sydney, dedicated the completed cathedral.

The principal entrance to the building is through a pointed arched opening recessed in a heavily moulded doorway set within a projecting porch element with steeply pitched gabled awning.

[1] The interior of the church is traditionally arranged, with a nave separated from side aisles by a pointed arched arcade.

[1] The interior of St Joseph's Cathedral houses many finely crafted items, including a black and white Italian marble "checkerboard" tiled floor and a number of stained and coloured glass panels depicting scenes from the New Testament.

[1] St Josephs Cathedral was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

The building has special associations for the Roman Catholic Community of central and north Queensland as their cathedral.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.