Henry Champlin Lay, the first Bishop of Easton, desired a cathedral for his young diocese.

The original plans called for a complex of buildings that included a church, diocesan offices, a library, and a bishop's residence.

The buildings were designed to be grouped around a courtyard similar to a traditional English cathedral.

The granite for the exterior was said to have been shipped by water from Port Deposit, Maryland.

[4] The stained glass windows date from 1891 to 1979 and reflect the different styles over that time period.