chantabiri church catholic

1712 1st Church. Features/Events: Built on West Bank Chanthaburi River.
Parish Priest: Rev.Fr. Heutte.
No.of Catholics 130.
1752 2nd Church. Features/Events: Built with wooden planks, bamboo, and thatched roof.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. De Guana.
No.of Catholics 200.

1834 3rd Church. Features/Events: Built on East Bank of Chanthaburi River.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Matthias Do.
No.of Catholics 1,000.

1855 4th Church. Features/Events: Designed to be a permanent and solid structure and took 20 years to complete.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Ran Faing.
No.of Catholics 1,500.

1906 5th Church. Features/Events: Built in a western architectural style (20 m. wide and 60 m. long) and foundation stone blessed on January 6th.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Perical.
No.of Catholics 2,400.

1909 Features/Events: Consecration Ceremony on January 10th presided by Rev Fr. Colombet.

1933 Features/Events: Silver Jubilee Celebration on February 19th.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Simon.

1944-1953 Present Cathedral. Features/Events: Status of the church was elevated to a Cathedral.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Bunchu Rangappit.

1955 Features/Events: Built presbytery.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Sanit Vorasilpa.

1960 Features/Events: Golden jubilee Celebration on December 8th.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Sanit Vorasilpa.

1981 Features/Events: Built Niramon Parish Hall.
Renovated the Sanctuary.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Methi Wannachaiwong.

1985 Features/Events: 275th Anniversary of the Catholic Community, and 75th anniversary of the Church on December 7th.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Methi Wannachaiwong.

1995 Features/Events: Built Santisuk Hall. (Mortuary)
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Somsak Namakorn.

1997-1998 Features/Events: Built Akhan Praetham. (Pastoral Center Building)
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Vacharin : Samanchit.
No.of Catholics: 8,240.

1988-2003 Features/Events: Built Cathedral Museum.
Renovated the Cathedral.
Organized the Centennial Celebration and a Spiritual Renewal Program.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Sudjen Fonruang.

2003-Present Features/Events: Plan and conduct a community and historical researches.
Set up a Renovation Committee.
Prepare for the Tricentennial Celebration for the Faith Community, and the Centennial Celebration for the Cathedral to take place on December 12th,2009.
Perish Priest: Rev. Fr. Yod Senarak.
No.of Catholics: 8,300.

Why Renovation?

The main purpose of the renovation of the Cathedral is to prepare for the grand celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Faith Community, and of the 100th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in 2009. A Renovation Committee has already been established with the following tasks
1. To renovate the Cathedral building for the Tricentennial Celebration of the Faith Community and for the Centennial Celebration of the Immaculate Cathedral.
2. To conserve this most valuable heritage (worshipping place) of Catholic community of Chanthaburi.
3. To make the Catholic parishioners aware of the value of their long and sustainable faith, and to join their hands and hearts together in the Cathedral renovation.

History of

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral

“Genuine and Unwavering Faith is a Precious Gift of God”

The Catholic Community of Chanthaburi was born and continues to grow on the basis of this faith.

According to the historical records, this thriving and nearly 300-year old catholic community of Chantaburi began with an original group of 130 Vietnamese Catholics, who immigrated to Thailand to escape the religious persecution in Vietnam before 1711, at the end of the reign of King Tai Sa (King Sanphet IX) of the Ayudhya period. They undoubtedly brought with them their religion and culture. Presently, this faith group has continued to grow to become a large community.

Bishop Pion de Cise assigned Rev. Hert to look after this Catholic community. The integral part of this community has been its church, which has become one of the archetypes of the Catholic architecture in Thailand. It was built for the purpose of Christian worship and liturgical ceremonies. It is a holy shrine, the center of faith unity and of faith propagation to other people.

The present Cathedral is the fifth one, built in Chanthaburi, and is almost 100 years old. It is conducive to maintaining continuous growth of the Catholic faith. The history of this church – cum – Cathedral can be summarized as follows.

Renovation Project Details 01

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral Chanthaburi in 2007