Thursday, August 15, 2019

TODAY IS THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION


A Cathedral Like No Other


CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION
Diocese of Kingstown
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines


Assumption Cathedral, Saint Mary's School, Parish Offices and Rectory.


It's history dates back to a first structure erected in stages from 1823 although the present building was completed in the 1930s decade. It was declared Co-cathedral of the Diocese of Bridgetown-Kingstown in 1971 and since 1989 is Kingstown's Cathedral. It stands out for its striking architecture which is a combination of styles (Moorish, Romanesque, Byzantine, Venetian and Flemish) that strongly contrasts with the rest of the city.  Ir seems to be made of local volcanic stone and concrete. 

I have been told that most of the unusual architectural design and stone work is the work of a monk from Belgium when Benedictine monks were working in Saint Vincent as missionaries in the 1930s. 

As unique as it is, it has to be a maintenance nightmare. I think it is too fragile to clean without destroying the fragile stone and the mortar between the stones. 

Strangely enough, the Episcopal Cathedral (the largest denomination on the island as a former English colony) is directly across the narrow street. They seem to be looking at each other - door to door! 






















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