Cathedral
The cathedral of the diocese is the Nativity of Our Lady Cathedral (Thai: อาสนวิหารแม่พระบังเกิด). It is located in Bang Nok Khwaek, Amphoe Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram Province. The church is built in French Gothic style and decorated with stained glass windows imported from France. In two rows these show scenes of the life of Jesus in top row, as well as holy people (men to the north, women to the south).
Aroung 1840 nine Chinese Catholic families moved to the rim of the Mae Klong river. The community grew to about 200 Catholics till 1847, when a first wooden church named Sala Daeng (Red Hall) or Raung Yao (Long Canal) was built near the location of the current cathedral. In 1850 Father Marin bought the land at the mouth of the Khlong Damnoen Saduak and donated it to the church.
In 1890 the French missionary Father Paulo Salmon started the construction of the Nativity of Our Lady church, which was inaugurated on February 2, 1896. During World War II several of the windows broke, which took till 1993 to be fully repaired. 1994-99 a major renovation of the cathedral was done, overlooked by Father Pradit.
Read more about this topic: Roman Catholic Diocese Of Ratchaburi
Famous quotes containing the word cathedral:
“Now, honestly: if a large group of ... demonstrators blocked the entrances to St. Patrick’s Cathedral every Sunday for years, making it impossible for worshipers to get inside the church without someone escorting them through screaming crowds, wouldn’t some judge rule that those protesters could keep protesting, but behind police lines and out of the doorways?”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1953)
“... and met
At numerous cathedral cities
Unknown to the clergy.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“That great Cathedral space which was childhood.”
—Virginia Woolf (1882–1941)