1868 to 1872

On March 3, 1868, Pope Pius IX erected the Diocese of Columbus and named Rosecrans as its first bishop. ^[7] St. Joseph Church, still in the early stages of construction, was now designated as St. Joseph Cathedral.

Construction was halted while the diocese redrew the plans for the new building. Instead of being a brick building, it was now planned as stone building, with the architect modifying the foundation plans. ^{[5] [6]} The new plans also called for a bell tower with three clock faces and chimes. ^[6] Retired General William Rosecrans of the Union Army, older brother of Sylvester Rosecrans, came to Columbus to assist him with the design plans in 1870. ^{[1] [4]}

1872 to 1887

Rosecrans celebrated the first Mass in the unfinished St. Joseph's on December 25, 1872. Cardinal John McCloskey of the Archdiocese of New York donated the marble for the creation of the main altar and side altars. In 1873, the parish purchased the home of Joseph Gundersheimer on Broad Street to serve as a temporary rectory. ^[5] In February 1873, John Mangan and Annie Clifford became the first couple to be married in the cathedral. ^[8] Although the interior decoration was incomplete, Rosecrans consecrated St. Joseph's Cathedral on October 20, 1878. He died the following day and was interred beneath the main altar. The final project cost was $218,000. ^[1]

1887 to 1949

In 1887, Bishop John Ambrose Watterson purchased the former home of financier William G. Deshler for use as a rectory for the cathedral clergy. ^[9] The diocese in 1907 purchased the Kelley Mansion on Broad Street to serve as the St. Joseph Cathedral school.

Bishop James Hartley oversaw the addition of a copper roof on St. Joseph's in addition to new pews, sanctuary furniture, and pillars in 1913, at a cost of around $100,000. A group of iron support pillars was also removed, the altar replaced, and a marble railing installed in place of the wooden one. ^{[5] [4]} In 1923, the diocese purchased a new pipe organ for the cathedral from the Ernest M. Skinner & Company of Boston, Massachusetts. ^[6]

1949 to 1992

In 1949, Bishop Michael Ready remodeled the sanctuary at St. Joseph's. He installed the present baldachin, along with a new altar of botticino marble with onyx pillars. The renovation also added a Blessed Sacrament Chapel, a Marian Chapel, and the Terce Chapel dedicated to St. Joseph. The renovations were completed in 1953. ^[10] Ready also razed the old rectory, replacing with the bishop's residence and the diocesan chancery. ^{[6] [9]}

Bishop John Carberry re-positioned the altar at St. Joseph's to allow for versus populum celebration of the Mass in 1965. Two years later, the diocese excavated the undercroft to create a parish hall with a kitchen, meeting rooms, and a bookstore. More extensive remodeling of the sanctuary began in 1978. ^{[6] [4]}

1992 to present

In 1992, the diocese cleaned and restored the sandstone exterior of St. Joseph's. In 2000, the baldacchino and Marian shrine were restored and replated. Polish artist Grzegorz Kucharski painted the depictions of the Holy Family that were hung in the apse in 2002, the same year the current organ was installed. ^[6]

Bishop Robert J. Brennan was celebrating a Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph's in 2021 when eight protesters temporarily disrupted it. Brennan later issued a statement, thanking law enforcement, cathedral staff, and worshippers, saying they reflect "joy, hope, and mercy that [mark] our pro-life witness." ^[11]

In 2023, the diocese merged Holy Cross Parish with St. Joseph Cathedral Parish, leaving Holy Cross Church open as a worship site. ^{[12] [13]} For the 2023 Christmas season, the historic State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company nativity scene was installed on the cathedral lawn. ^{[14] [15] [16]}