Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok

I have been wanting to visit Bangkok's big old Catholic cathedral for years. Finally, after six years of living in the Big Mango, I got around to paying it a visit! With my new hobby blog, Stained Glass Travel (where I write about the churches, chapels, and cathedrals that I visit on my travels), I finally had a reason to make my way out to the riverside.

Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok, Thailand

Assumption Cathedral, located along the river in one of the ritziest parts of Bangkok, is situated just next door to the world-famous Oriental Hotel.

The cathedral was constructed in 1821, when King Rama II granted prime land along the Chaophrahya River to the Catholic Church for the construction of a church to minister to the kingdom's Catholics (Christ Church took care of the various Protestants, and still does, for the most part).

Two impressive bronze statues flank the entrance to the cathedral. On one side, St. Peter stands upon a rock, holding the Keys to the Kingdom. On the other, Pope Saint John Paul II raises his hand in benediction. Pope JP2 visited Assumption Cathedral in 1984. His visit is still one of the highlights of Catholicism in Thailand.

The interior of the cathedral was dark and very quiet. I visited at an odd time of day, and I was the only person there. Next door, Assumption College and Assumptionsuksa School were busy, but the interior of the cathedral was silent.

the interior of the cathedral

Along the walls, a number of shrines were illuminated in the colored light of the beautiful stained glass windows that filtered soft light into the interior of the cathedral.

The cathedral was heavily damaged during the Second World War, but was refurbished in the 1980s prior to the Pope's visit. The stained glass windows are a relatively new feature.

Like any good Catholic cathedral, Assumption Cathedral has a Catholic bookstore in the back. Although I'm not Catholic myself, I love visiting a good Catholic bookstore! Inside, I found this super interesting and cool Thai-style statue of Mary and Baby Jesus! How cool is that?

a Thai-style Mary and baby Jesus

Most Thai Christians are Catholic (the vast majority of Protestants in Thailand are foreigners like myself). Assumption Cathedral is one of several beautiful old cathedrals in the kingdom, and serves as the mother church of the Catholic church in Thailand.