Famous Cathedrals & Churches In Antigua and Barbuda | Famous Churches In Antigua and Barbuda

Beautifully built and intricately designed, Antigua and Barbuda’s historical cathedrals and churches have been around for centuries, with many standing tall for hundreds of years. From magnificent Baroque to Gothic-style architecture, these majestic churches are a testament to the rich cultural and religious history of the Caribbean islands.

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous and well-known historical churches and cathedrals in Antigua and Barbuda.

Famous Historical Cathedrals & Churches In Antigua and Barbuda To Visit

1. St John’s Anglican Cathedral

St John’s Anglican Cathedral is a church located in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. It is the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of the West Indies. The cathedral is located in the city of St John’s, on Redcliffe Street near the harbour.

Originally constructed in 1681, St John’s Anglican Cathedral is one of the oldest Anglican churches in the Americas, and it has a vibrant history that has included additions and renovations throughout its long history. It has been the centre of Anglican colonial and Christian faith for centuries. The cathedral is the traditional site of the country’s coronation ceremonies, as it was for the first one in 1736.

An architectural marvel, the church boasts two impressive towers that rise above the city and provide 360-degree views of the beautiful Caribbean coastline and St. John’s harbor. The current towers and Gothic-style arches were added in 1845 and are the church’s most featured element. The steeple of the church is over 70 feet tall and is home to the highest church bell in the Caribbean.

The interior of the church is just as impressive as its exterior, and features intricate stone and wood carvings as well as beautiful stained glass windows. One of the stained glass windows, which was added when the church was extended in 1845, creates an effect of stars in the sky in the room.

Today, St John’s Anglican Cathedral continues to be a integral part of Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural landscape, hosting regular services as well as weddings and special events. The cathedral also offers tours of the building so that visitors can explore its intricate beauty.

2. The Church of St Peter on Barbuda

The Church of St Peter is the oldest Anglican church in Barbuda, located in Codrington, Barbuda. The church is part of the Diocese of the North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba, which is part of the Church of the Province of the West Indies.

The church was built in 1783 and is a simple and unadorned structure with whitewashed walls, timber rafters, bare stone floors, and a cemetery with old headstones.

St Peter served as the principal church of the island and was the focus of community life on Barbuda from its establishment until the major hurricane of 2017.

The church and its cemetery were severely damaged by the storm, and much of the local population were displaced and had to be evacuated to Antigua. Reconstruction of the church is ongoing, and it is once again a symbol of resilience for the residents of Barbuda.

3. St Paul’s Anglican Church

The St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Antigua and Barbuda is located in the capital city, St. John’s. It is the main Anglican church in the country. The church was originally built in 1704 as a wooden hut and has been upgraded several times over the years. Today, St. Paul’s is a beautiful, grand Gothic structure surrounded by a beautiful lawn and garden.

The organs and stained glass windows of the church give the cathedral a special atmosphere while the large gallery of natural light illuminates the sanctuary. Part of the charm of the structure comes from the white painted woodwork. With high ceilings and intricate wood trim, the ambience is one of peace and reverence. The large bell of the church tolled in 1836 after the slave emancipation in Antigua and Barbuda and still stands as a testament to the struggle for freedom.

The church is in continuous use and hosts weddings, funerals, and christenings as well as a wide range of musical performances. It is also home to a thriving congregation. The church is also involved in the social mission of providing relief to the needy and providing spiritual guidance.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church is a welcoming and vibrant community of faith in St. John’s. As the oldest Anglican church in the Caribbean, it is a symbol of the rich and diverse spiritual heritage of Antigua and Barbuda.

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4. The New Testament Church of God

The New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) in Antigua and Barbuda is an evangelical Christian denomination located in the eastern Caribbean. The NTCOG originated in the late 1950s from a collaboration between the late Pastor Joseph A. Leopold and a group of lay Catholic members of the local Catholic community in Antigua. The Church is affiliated with the International Council of Churches and the Pan-Caribbean Council of Churches.

The NTCOG is a Pentecostal church whose mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Antigua and Barbuda. It seeks to be a spiritual home in which its members can grow and learn about the Lord, and in which they can serve their neighbors in peace and harmony.

The NTCOG has programs in local schools, youth ministries, radio ministries, and various social programs for the elderly and needy. Some of the Church’s other initiatives include a microcredit program to help Antiguans build small business enterprises, as well as computer classes to assist those seeking to improve their computing skills.

The NTCOG’s beliefs are rooted in the Bible and in the practices of early Christianity as taught by Jesus. The Church’s main weekday meetings are held at the Grahams Hill Road in Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday evenings to celebrate the Eucharist. The NTCOG is a member of the Caribbean Council of Churches and the Ecumenical Ministries of the Caribbean and Participates in the International Council of Churches.

5. St Saviour’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral

St Saviour’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral is located in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. It is the seat of the Anglican Diocese of North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba. It is a parish church of the Church of England that is part of the Anglican Communion.

St Saviour’s was first established as a church in 1845 and was consecrated in 1848. Since its consecration, it has served as the main church of the Diocese of North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba, and as a symbol of the Anglican faith on the island.

The church has a number of important features, including its architectural and historical importance. It is also a popular tourist site, and many people who visit Antigua and Barbuda will take a trip to the church to learn about its history and to appreciate its beauty.

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6. St Lucia’s Anglican Church

The Anglican Church in Antigua and Barbuda is part of the Province of the West Indies of the Anglican Communion. There are four dioceses in the Province: Barbados and the Windward Islands, The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Diocese of Honduras, and the Diocese of North and Central America.

The Anglican Church in Antigua and Barbuda is made up of four parishes from the original Diocese of Barbados and the Windward Islands: St. George’s Parish in St. Johns and St. Mary’s Parish in English Harbour on Antigua, and St. Philip’s and All Saints’ parishes on Barbuda.

St. Lucia Parish is located in Antigua and is part of the Diocese of Barbados and the Windward Islands. The parish church is located in the capital city of St. Johns and is the oldest Anglican parish church in the Americas. The current incumbent of the parish is The Reverend Canon Damien Gordon.

The parish has a number of outreach ministries including the St. Lucia Parish School, St. Lucia Developmental Learning Centre, the Homeless and marginalized Peoples Outreach, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The St. Lucia parish also offers a multitude of youth programs and evangelism initiatives for children and adults alike.

The parish belongs to the Associated Churches of Barbuda, and is included in the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON). It is also a fully accredited member of the International Anglican Family of Churches.

7. The Greek Orthodox Church of Sts Peter and Paul

The Greek Orthodox Church of Sts Peter and Paul is located in Antigua and Barbuda in the Carribean. It is a part of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.

The Church is a former Anglican parish church, originally built in 1736 by the British. The Church is an active part of the Antiguan and Barbudan community and holds regular religious services.

It also hosts weddings, baptisms, and other important religious services. The church is also available for visitors and for tourists to visit and explore the beauty and splendor of the Greek Orthodox Christian faith.

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8. Mucurapo Catholic Church

Mucurapo Catholic Church is located in the beach city of St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. It was founded in January 1876 by Bishop Thomas Heyden. The church is known for its Spanish-style structure, which was built in the late 19th century. It is a large parish and houses many spiritual events for both the Catholic and other denominations.

The Mucurapo parish offers several masses every Sunday and their main service is at 10am. The church is known for its charitable works, particularly for the poor, the elderly, and those struggling with addiction.

Their aim is to help people “find strength in a life of Christian values”. Mucurapo Catholic Church also has a school that is run by the parish and provides several educational opportunities for the local community.