Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kingston

The Holy Trinity Cathedral, located between North Street and George Headley Drive in downtown Kingston, stands as a monumental symbol of Catholic faith and architectural splendor in Jamaica. Completed in 1911, the cathedral was built to replace the original Holy Trinity Church, which was destroyed in the devastating 1907 earthquake. Its construction marked a turning point in Kingston’s urban and spiritual landscape.

Commissioned by Bishop John J. Collins and designed by American architect Raymond F. Almirall, the cathedral showcases the Byzantine Revival style, a rare architectural choice in the Caribbean. Its most striking feature is the 85-foot-high copper-covered dome-the only one of its kind in Jamaica-giving the building an appearance often likened to a mosque. The structure is further distinguished by four large minaret-like towers and a richly decorated interior. Over 3,000 square feet of murals and mosaic artwork, designed by Jesuit Brother Francis C. Schroen, enhance the grandeur of the space, along with intricate stained glass and one of the region’s most powerful pipe organs.

The Holy Trinity Cathedral is the seat of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kingston and continues to serve as a center for major religious and state ceremonies. Notably, it hosted the state funerals of Jamaican Prime Ministers Michael Manley and Edward Seaga. It also received a historic visit from Pope John Paul II on August 10, 1993.

Beyond its religious function, the cathedral draws thousands of tourists each year who come to admire its architectural and artistic beauty-making it not only a house of worship but also one of the Caribbean’s most impressive landmarks.