Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain

The first Catholic Church in the Port of Spain was built by order of the Spanish Governor Martin de Salverria in 1781. That was just in time. The British took over in 1797, and they had other plans. The site chosen by Governor Salverria is now known as Tamarind Square.

In the early 19th century, the English governor Sir Ralph Woodford decided to build a church better suited to the growing Catholic population. Plans were drawn by the Governor's Secretary, Phillip Renagle, and the foundation stone was laid on 24 March 1816. The new church was located west of the former church, at the eastern end of today's Independence Square.

The new church was built in Gothic design in the shape of a Latin cross, with walls made of blue limestone quarried from the Laventille Hills, an iron framework from England for the doors and windows, and twin wooden towers framing the entrance. Twelve bells and a clock were added in 1879.

The church officially became a Cathedral after the arrival of the Apostolic Vicar to the Holy See in 1820. It was not completed until 1832 and consecrated in 1849.

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Sight Name: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Sight Location: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (See walking tours in Port of Spain)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Port of Spain Introduction Walk

Walking Tours in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Create Your Own Walk in Port of Spain

Creating your own self-guided walk in Port of Spain is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historic Buildings Walking Tour

A group of mansions in northern Port of Spain, located on Maraval Road, to the west of the Queen's Park Savannah, is known colloquially as 鈥淭he Magnificent Seven鈥�. They were built between 1902 and 1910 on the land that was previously used as a government stock farm. Together with the nearby President's House, the official residence of the President of Trinidad and Tobago, which is... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

Port of Spain Introduction Walk

Port of Spain was once the site of a fishing village of Amerindian people. It was called "Place of the silk cotton trees." By 1560, a Spanish garrison was stationed in the area. By 1757, the village had changed to the capital of the Port of Spain.

The last Spanish governor of Trinidad, Don Jose Chacon, opened the colony to French Catholic immigrants. The population grew and the town... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

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