Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok

Assumption Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangkok. It is located in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok, near the Chao Phraya River. Materials for the construction of the Church are imported from France and Italy. The cathedral was named Assumption to honor the passage of the Virgin Mary to heaven after her death. On Saint Mary’s Day on 15 August, she is commemorated at the church during The Feast of the Assumption.

The Assumption Cathedral was established as the result of the work of French missionary priest Father Pascal in 1809. The original building was built in 1821, during the reign of King Rama II. The present cathedral building dates back to between 1910 and 1918, when it was rebuilt in the Romanesque style. The church has a relatively tall rectangular structure with a red brick exterior which makes it prominent against its surrounding white buildings. The tall square towers flank the main entrance. The ceiling inside is very high and is adorned with many ornate decorations. The reconstruction was funded by a local Teochew Chinese Catholic, one Low Khiok Chiang - proprietor of a business nearby.

The Assumption Cathedral suffered heavy damage from bombings during World War II but was restored after the war. It underwent extensive refurbishing in the 1980's and 90's with the addition of stained glass windows. It was visited by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Bangkok in 1984.

Considering its importance, the Assumption Cathedral should be on the must-see list of anyone visiting Bangkok.