10 Famous Cathedrals & Churches In Bangladesh | Historical Churches In Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a beautiful country home to many historical and cultural sites, and among them are some stunning cathedrals and churches. As this country has a large population of Christians, it should come as no surprise that some of the oldest cathedrals and churches in Bangladesh have become world famous.

In this article, we will explore the famous historical cathedrals and churches in Bangladesh that still stand today as beautiful and inspiring landmarks.

Best Famous Historical Cathedrals & Churches In Bangladesh To Visit

1. Saint Mary’s Cathedral Church, Dhaka

Saint Mary’s Cathedral Church, Dhaka is a beautiful gothic-style Anglican church located in the heart of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Built in 1820, it’s one of the oldest churches in the country and an important symbol of Christian faith in Bangladesh. It is also formally recognized by the government as a grade A national monument.

Inside the church, the walls are adorned with religious works of art, stained glass windows, and beautiful stained glass ceilings. There are also two bells on the exterior, which still ring on Sunday mornings to begin the Sunday service. The church is open to people of all religions and visitors are welcome to look around and take photos.

2. Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, Dhaka

The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection is a Armenian Apostolic Church located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the largest Armenian church in Bangladesh, dating back to the 17th century when the Armenian community first arrived in the region.

The Church is known for its unique blend of the Eastern and Western traditions of Christianity and houses a number of manuscripts, artifacts and other religious items that are important to the Armenian faith.

The Church was declared a national historic site in 2008. Services are held on Saturdays and Sundays, with Sunday school offered in Armenian and English language. The Church also has several charitable activities, including a school for orphan children.

3. Holy Rosary Church, Dhaka

Holy Rosary Church is a Roman Catholic Church in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is located at the corner of Kabir Chaya Road and Airport Road in Tejgaon, near the Tejgaon Industrial Area. The parish was founded in 1967 and is administered by the 23rd Archbishop of Dhaka, Most Rev. Patrick D’Rozario.

The church features a Romanesque facade, and features an altar in the middle of an open court. Masses are held in English and Bangla. The church also includes a school, kindergarten, orphanage, youth centre, art centre and library. The parish holds a procession yearly to celebrate the Feast of the Virgin Mary.

4. Holy Cross Church, Barisal

Holy Cross Church is a Catholic Church in Barisal, Bangladesh. It is one of the oldest churches in the area and has been in operation since the late 19th century. The church is home to around 300 members, and it houses several distinct features that make it stand out from other churches in Bangladesh.

The church features the standard Gothic architecture associated with fashion and style in Europe at the time of its construction. It has a beautiful façade, with tall steeple and arched windows, making it indicative of its original French colonial construction.

The church is currently served by a Franciscan Priest and four Sisters of Mercy. The church is open to the public and also hosts a number of special events throughout the year. Mass is held every Sunday, alongside preaching and catechism classes. The church also runs soup kitchens, providing hot meals to those in need.

Holy Cross Church runs a number of other activities and outreach programs which help to engage and involve the local community, such as Sunday School programs, Bible Study, Mission trips, retreats, and charity work. The church also sponsors several social programs and initiatives, which serve the needs of the people in Barisal and the surrounding areas. These include medical camps, eye camps, vocational training courses, and food programs.

5. St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Sylhet

St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church located in Sylhet, Bangladesh. The church was built by the Portuguese missionaries in 1855 and is the oldest Catholic Church in Sylhet division. The church stands on a small hill and is a prominent landmark in Sylhet city.

The church facade has a central pediment and two bell towers which were originally built with wood, but later restored with concrete. The church consists of a sanctuary, a main hall and a library. The interior of the church is decorated in Neo-Gothic style of Victorian era.

The church complex also contains several cemeteries, the oldest one dating as far back as 1876, and a Marian grotto. The grotto was recently renovated and is now open to the public and serves as an area for religious devotion and prayer.

St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral is a well known pilgrimage site in Bangladesh and is visited by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Every year, thousands of devotees visit the Church to attend mass and pay their respects.

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6. St. James Church, Chittagong

St. James Church, Chittagong is a Roman Catholic church in Chittagong, Bangladesh. It is one of the oldest churches in Bangladesh, founded in the year 1909 by the French missionaries. The church is a representative of the Roman Catholic missionary work in the region. It is situated in the centre of the city, near the railway station. The Church also serves as an event venue for weddings, concerts, cultural events and many social events.

The church is a three-story white building with pointed arches and a central Indian-style spire. The church is cruciform in shape with a large nave roofed with a dome. The walls and pillars are decorated with colourful biblical paintings that are popular among the locals and tourists. It has a capacity of holding around 1000 people and is the largest church in Chittagong.

The Church is dedicated to St. James, the Apostle and is known for its vibrant prayers and spiritual activities. During the month of May, the church holds its annual festival where people from all over the city and even other countries come and celebrate. The festival is famous for its Vicarius, a traditional dance performed during the festival. This is one of the most popular festivals in the city.

The church also offers many other services to its members and visitor such as Sunday services, prayer meeting, reading of Holy Scriptures, confession, vocational guidance and other pastoral works. It also plays an active role in the social upliftment of the people. The Church is one of the major tourist attractions in Chittagong and a must-visit place for people of all faiths.

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7. Holy Cross Cathedral, Chittagong

Holy Cross Cathedral is the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chittagong in Bangladesh. The cathedral is located in the coastal city of Chittagong, the second largest city in the country.

It is the largest Catholic church in Bangladesh and the only Roman Catholic cathedral in the country. The building was erected in 1887 and is constructed in the Indo-Gothic architectural style.

The building is filled with unique and ornate decorations, statues, and stained glass. The cathedral is also home to numerous religious artifacts and symbols of the Catholic faith. It was declared a national monument by the Government of Bangladesh in 2001. Masses are still held in the cathedral regularly and it is open to visitors throughout the year.

8. St. John’s Cathedral, Khulna

St. John’s Cathedral, located in Khulna, Bangladesh, is one of the oldest churches in Bangladesh. It is also one of the main religious landmarks in the city. Originally built in 1808, it is now the headquarters of the Diocese of Khulna, to which it gives its name.

The building, which is still intact, has been extended over the years, with its most recent major expansion in 2020. The cathedral has many features and decorations, such as Gothic-style stained-glass windows, a large altar with gold ribbing, several statues of saints, and a grand organ.

St. John’s also serves as a cultural center for the local Christian community and is the site of many religious ceremonies. The building is open to visitors throughout the week, and it also houses a museum featuring artifacts that showcase the history of this region. The cathedral offers a range of religious services, including baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals. The cathedral also offers a children’s program and hosts a variety of social events throughout the year.

9. St. Anthony’s Cathedral, Dinajpur

St. Anthony’s Cathedral in Dinajpur, Bangladesh is a Roman Catholic church and the seat of the Diocese of Dinajpur.

The present church building was built in 1945 and is the largest Catholic church in Bangladesh. The structure’s design is a fusion of Neo-Romanesque architecture and Eastern architecture, featuring high arches and an Indian-style dome roof. Inside, the church features an altar, elaborate stained-glass windows, and several statues.

The cathedral became a pilgrimage site in 1971, when Saint Anthony of Padua was declared the patron saint of Dinajpur. Every year, pilgrims from all over Bangladesh come to visit the church and celebrate its feast day on June 13. During this festive occasion, the church is festively decorated with colorful lights and banners and the streets around it become full of vendors selling traditional food and other goods.

The church is open to visitors of all faiths and is a popular tourist destination. Guided tours are available, highlighting the history and architecture of the building. The church is also home to several religious organizations including the Catholic Youth Association and the Diocesan Council of Lay Men.

St. Anthony’s Cathedral is a symbol of the importance of Catholic faith to the people of Dinajpur and an important place of worship for Catholics from across Bangladesh.

10. St. Peter’s Church, Faridpur

St. Peter’s Church in Faridpur is an important Roman Catholic church in Bangladesh. It is one of the oldest churches in Bangladesh and dates back to 1865, when it was first opened.

It is the only Catholic church in the area and services are conducted in both English and Bengali. The church follows the Roman Catholic form and the main celebration is the Mass every Sunday morning.

There are also other activities for adults and children, such as Bible study and prayer meetings. The church is a place of worship as well as a place of social gathering for the local people. The church also serves as a beacon of hope for many of the poor and disadvantaged in the area.

Biggest church in Bangladesh

The biggest church in Bangladesh is the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, located in Tejgaon, Dhaka. It is the national cathedral for the Catholic community in Bangladesh and serves as the central hub for Catholic worship and activities in the country.

The Holy Rosary Catholic Church is an architectural landmark and can accommodate a large number of worshippers. It is a significant religious institution for the Christian community in Bangladesh.

Oldest church in Bangladesh

The oldest church in Bangladesh is the Armenian Church of Holy Resurrection, also known as the Armenian Church of Dhaka. It is located in the Armanitola area of Old Dhaka.

The church was built in 1781 by Armenian merchants who had settled in Dhaka during the Mughal era. It is a historic church that represents the Armenian community’s presence and contribution to Bangladesh’s cultural and religious diversity. The Armenian Church of Holy Resurrection is a testament to the rich history and heritage of the Armenian community in Bangladesh.

Catholic church in Bangladesh

The Catholic Church in Bangladesh is an important religious institution for the Catholic community in the country. The Catholic Church has a significant presence in Bangladesh and plays a vital role in providing spiritual guidance, education, healthcare, and various social services.

The Catholic Church in Bangladesh is headed by the Archbishop of Dhaka, who serves as the leader of the Catholic community in the country. The Archdiocese of Dhaka is the largest Catholic diocese in Bangladesh and is responsible for overseeing the Catholic churches, schools, hospitals, and other institutions within its jurisdiction.

Apart from the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Tejgaon, which is the largest church in Bangladesh, there are several other notable Catholic churches in different parts of the country. Some of these include:

• St. Mary’s Cathedral: Located in Ramna, Dhaka, it is the principal church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dhaka.
• St. Joseph’s Cathedral: Situated in Barisal, it is the cathedral church of the Catholic Diocese of Barisal.
• St. Francis Xavier’s Church: Found in Chittagong, it is the cathedral church of the Catholic Diocese of Chittagong.
• Our Lady of Lourdes Church: Situated in Moulvibazar, it is one of the oldest and most prominent Catholic churches in northeastern Bangladesh.

These are just a few examples, and there are many more Catholic churches across Bangladesh that serve as places of worship and community gathering for the Catholic faithful.