Cathedral prepares for Jubilee 2025

GUYANA

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam, Georgetown, will take on a fresh appearance in time for the Jubilee Year 2025, as well as the centenary of its official opening. Artwork in accordance with the original plans is being done, 111 years after those plans were approved in September 1913.

Artwork depicting the Apostles and saints is being added to the blank alcoves on the arched sections of the ceiling by talented young artist Sherlon Prince. Prince is carrying out this intricate and painstaking work on a scaffold approximately 60 feet high.

The previous Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception—which was constructed of greenheart and crabwood—was destroyed by fire March 7, 1913, according to a Catholic Standard report.

The diocesan weekly said that the construction of the present concrete Cathedral began in 1914, with work on the foundation. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Compton Theodore Galton SJ August 15, 1915—the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The western half of the Cathedral was opened March 13, 1921, by Bishop Galton.

The Cathedral was largely completed by 1925, and the eastern half was opened December 13 that year by Bishop Galton with a Pontifical High Mass. This date was chosen because it was the first Sunday after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8), which in 1925 fell on a Tuesday.

Construction of the Cathedral was completed April 30, 1927. “Being finally free from debt, the Cathedral was consecrated October 10, 1960, by Bishop Richard Lester Guilly SJ. Over the years the Cathedral has received different types of upgrades,” the article said.

The last major one was in 1999–2000, when for the first time, the entire interior was painted, and colour added to the designs on the ceiling. This new paintwork made the Cathedral ready for the Jubilee Year in 2000.

On completion in 1925, the interior had been painted in whitewash (white lime), the type that was used to paint the bottom of trees and bridge rails in Georgetown.