Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok, Thailand
Introduction
The Assumption Cathedral (Thai: อาสนวิหารอัสสัมชัญ) is the principal Catholic church of Thailand, located at 23 Oriental Avenue, New Road, in the Bang Rak District of Bangkok. It is the main church of the Archdiocese of Bangkok. The cathedral hosted both of the papal visits to Thailand: Pope John Paul II in 1984 and Pope Francis in 2019.
The striking red structure of Assumption Cathedral in the heart of Thailand is one of the few 200 plus years old churches in Bangkok. The cathedral is considered as a quaint legacy of the French Community, it’s as though the French left a little part of old Europe back in Bangkok. The church accounts as a prominent red brick rectangular structure surrounded by white buildings. It accounts as one of the top historic places in Bangkok for its amusing architectural style that is uncommon in today’s world. It has been well very preserved and maintained for the worshippers.
Tourists see the Assumption Cathedral as a departure from the domed belfries and high steeples of churches like Santa Cruz Church and the Holy Rosary Church of the 18th century. In case you have grown bored of the Bangkok skyscrapers and are longing to see the other side of this beautiful city then visiting the Assumption Cathedral to appreciate its architectural splendour is a must.
History of Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok, Thailand
The Assumption Cathedral is located within 100 meters of the Oriental Hotel and the French Embassy, and the original building was the result of the request from a French missionary, Father Pascal in 1809 and the work of a French architect which saw the cathedral completed in 1821 during the reign of King Rama II. The cathedral was named Assumption after the Virgin Mary and she is commemorated at the church during The Feast of the Assumption, on St. Mary’s Day on 15 August.
Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, the church and surrounding area played an important role for Christian missionaries arriving in Bangkok, particularly after 1860. The cathedral is part of a series of buildings which consist of Assumption Convent School (Thailand), Catholic Mission of Bangkok, Assumption Printing Press and rectory which were inhabited by the missionaries during their time in the city.
However around 1909 or 1910 the church underwent significant reconstruction and was rebuilt in the romanesque style between 1910 and 1918. The church has a relatively tall rectangular structure with a red brick exterior which stands out against its surrounding white buildings. The tall square towers flank the main entrance. Inside is a high ceiling adorned with many ornate decorations. Construction costs were largely covered by a local catholic businessman, Mr Low Khiok Chiang (also known as Jacobe) who owned the nearby Kiam Hoa Heng & Company, a Chinese Teochew family business.
In 1942, during World War II, nearby buildings were destroyed by allied bombing which resulted in serious damage to the church. It underwent extensive restoration shortly afterwards, and was partly refurbished in the 1980s and 1990s. Stained glass windows are now used in the cathedral today.
The Assumption Cathedral had been visited by two supreme pontiffs. First, in May 1984 the cathedral welcomed Pope John Paul II and on the 22nd of November 2019, Pope Francis visited the cathedral during his apostolic visit to Thailand where he conduct the holy mass with catholic youth from around the country, given that the church is the center of the Catholic diocese there.
Architecture of Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok, Thailand
This cathedral built by the French will take you to the charming churches of Europe. The awe inspiring architecture will leave you shell-shocked. Huge and extremely tall rectangular towers flank the main entrance of Assumption Cathedral leading to a commodious nave with high lavish baroque ceilings.
Under the guidance of Fr Pascal, a French missionary, the land was bought in 1809 for a cathedral in the still newly established capital of the Kingdom, Bangkok. Under Bishop Florens and according to the wishes of the donor, the new cathedral was built and named in honor of the Assumption of Mary, being consecrated in 1822. This new cathedral became the seat of the Bishop of Siam and the center of Catholic administration in the country.
As the Catholic community grew, the cathedral was expanded. In time, it was recognized that reconstruction was needed and so this began in 1909, being completed in 1919. The present building is designed in French Gothic Romanesque style, apparently being inspired by the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba in Spain. If one compares the front of our cathedral with that of Notre Dame in Paris, the similarities can be seen between these two classic structures. Reconstruction was largely funded by a local Catholic businessman named Jacob Low Khiok Chiang, the owner of the then nearby Kiam Hoa Heng and Company.
Father Pascal, the leader of the French missionary, approached a French architect who came up with a stunning architectural design for the Assumption Cathedral, visitors from all around the world now appreciate that. The rectangular shape of the cathedral was inspired by Romanesque Revival architecture, which is attributed to the more simplified arches in the windows. The Cathedral offers a tranquil environment as the windows display some scenes of Jesus Christ’s life. The church’s ceiling is embellished with golden stars which will surely leave you spellbound. The dome in the backyard of the cathedral portrays theological stories mainly featuring the life of Jesus Christ’s mother.
Besides the breathtaking architectural brilliance, the most significant part is the Crypt. The remains of old missionaries and bishops are preserved to date. Visitors can visit the crypt only during the daytime, and a ceremony is held to remember the martyrs. The left side of the Church has an entire altar dedicated to Father Nicholas Boonkered, who is considered a priest and martyr.
This cathedral built by the French will take you to the charming churches of Europe. The awe inspiring architecture will leave you shell-shocked. Huge and extremely tall rectangular towers flank the main entrance of Assumption Cathedral leading to a commodious nave with high lavish baroque ceilings.
Outside the cathedral, you will notice two majestic bronze statues of Saint Peter and Pope John Paul II lined on either side of the main entrance. Aesthetically, the church’s Romanesque rectangular structure and twin towers significantly trail off from the styles of Bangkok’s other notable catholic churches such as Holy Rosary and Santa Cruz.
Crypt
The significant part of the cathedral is in the crypt underneath the Sanctuary, which kept the remains of the bishops and the missionaries, including that of Fr Nicholas Boonkerd Kitbamrung, who was proclaimed a martyr by Pope John Paul II on 5 March 2000 in the Vatican. His relics were transferred to the shrine built in the compound of St. Peter’s church in Sampran, Nakornprathom Province. There still remains a special altar devoted to him on the left side of the cathedral.
Besides being a place of worship and for performing sacred ceremonies, the role of the Assumption Cathedral is the church of the head of the local diocese, which as of 2014 was led by Cardinal Michael Meechai Kitboonchu. The cathedral is used to celebrate functions such as ordination of deacons, priests and bishops, and is said to be the centre of Catholics in Thailand.
Visitors include, on 4 May 1946, King Ananda Mahidol with his younger brother, then-Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej. Pope John Paul II visited on 10 May 1984. On 22 July 1995, Princesses Soamsawali and Bajirakitiyabha visited the cathedral during a religious ceremony for the soul of the late king’s mother. In 2002 the crown prince Vajiralongkorn and his consort Srirasmi visited the Catholic community at the Assumption Cathedral.
The cathedral hosted both of the papal visits to Thailand: Pope John Paul II in 1984and Pope Francis in 2019.
2019 saw the present cathedral turning 100. This church stands as a living testimony to Fr Emile Colombet, a French missionary priest for over 50 years in Siam and long term pastor at Assumption.
Feast Day
St. Mary’s Day Feast Day 15 August.
Church Opening Time:
Monday – Friday:
8.30 am to 5.00 pm
Saturday & Sunday:
8.30 am to 12.00 pm
Closed on Public Holidays
Contact Info
Address :
23 Charoenkrung Soi 40
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Phone : +66 2 234 8556
Mass Timing
Monday to Saturday:
4:00 PM and 5:15 PM
Sunday (in English): 10:00 AM (Thai): 6:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM
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Connectivities
Airway
suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) to assumption cathedral Bangkok Distance 52 min (36.8 km) via Route 7 and Si Rat Expressway
Railway
Bangkok Train Station to assumption cathedral Bangkok Distance 16 min (2.9 km) via Mahanakhon Road