File talk:Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Port of Spain).JPG

The first church in Port of Spain was a wooden structure built in 1781 on a site which today is known as Tamarind Square. This church had a capacity for seating 500 persons.

At the turn of the century it was becoming evident that this building was too small and a decision was taken to replace it by a more permanent and larger structure. On 24th. March,1816 the foundation stone of the present Cathedral was laid. The building was finally completed through the blood sweat and sacrifices of the catholic community in 1836. On Sunday 23rd. February 1851 it was consecrated by the first Archbishop of Port of Spain, The Most Reverend Patrick Smith.

Like the original church of Port of Spain, the Cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Cathedral, designed by architect, Philip Reinagle, was built in the shape of the Latin Cross. The northern and southern transepts were designed as chapels of Our Blessed Lady and St. Joseph respectively. The walls were made of limestone quarried from the nearby Laventille Hills. The Towers were originally of Limestone but were damaged by the earthquake tremors of 1825 and they were replaced by wood. They originally contained twelve (12) bells. The clock added in 1879 had three (3) dials (one on each of the towers and the main dial which is still in its original place).

In 1845, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was the first church in Trinidad to have a pipe organ. The original was replaced in 1913 by another pipe organ made by the renowned firm of Walker and Sons of London.

As The Cathedral, it is the principal church of the diocese. The cathedral (or chair) of the Bishop is placed there. In the 1850’s Pope Pius IX decreed that the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was to be the status of a Minor Basilica, giving it special spiritual privileges.

However, the Cathedral is more than just the story of a building. It is the experience of many types of people coming together to worship. So today you can see people of every different background coming to worship and pray at the Cathedral. There are many also who come into this church just for a few moments of peace and quiet, seeking sanctuary and refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life.

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