History Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Hong Kong)

the cathedral in 1897.

a new site cathedral selected above caine road glenealy ravine , cornerstone of new church laid on 8 december 1883. crawley , company of london hired architects , 5 years later, construction completed. church opened on 7 december 1888, vigil of feast of immaculate conception, , blessed 1 day later. construction of cathedral cost us$15,400, , since catholic church can consecrated once has become free debt, cathedral did not have rite of consecration held until 8 december 1938, fifty years after first opened. ceremony officiated vicar apostolic of hong kong enrico valtorta, bishop of macau josé da costa nunes , bishop emeritus of canton; 3 of cathedral s altars consecrated.

during second world war, cathedral suffered damage on anniversary in 1941, when japanese shell dropped onto during battle of hong kong. however, survived war relatively unscathed due decree made century before. when mission in hong kong first established in 1841, pope pius ix ruled that, although colony under british rule, prefecture apostolic should remain under administration of pontifical institute foreign missions (pime), missionary society italy. result, japanese treated cathedral being under sovereignty of kingdom of italy, whom not @ war. because of this, cathedral spared being ransacked , plundered occupying forces , archives preserved better other churches throughout hong kong, having been left relatively unscathed.

after conclusion of war, cathedral underwent series of renovations. roof—which made of timber—was replaced concrete 1 in 1952 due damage termites. reordering of sanctuary took place in 1969 after second vatican council, in main altar moved cathedral s crossing. in 1988, air conditioning installed , roof underwent reparation.

significant leaks in roof reported in 1997 , massive restoration project took place. entailed fixing roof, repainting walls , niche housing statue of immaculate conception, replacing tiles, enhancing lighting , sound system , installing new stained glass windows in chapel of our lord s passion, rededicated chinese martyrs. renovation completed on 8 december 2002 , cost total of us$1.1 million. project s success in preserving building s heritage resulted in cathedral being given honourable mention @ 2003 unesco asia pacific heritage awards culture heritage conservation , presented award on anniversary in 2003.

the cathedral holds red mass every other year judiciary of hong kong, alternating st. john s cathedral in hosting annual opening of assizes.