Saint John's Cathedral — Attraction in Antigua

This is a beautiful historic Anglican Cathedral that is known for its beautifully carved wood. The outside of the church is stone but every square inch of the interior is wood. The Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese that covers most of the former English speaking islands and includes Puerto Rico. The Cathedral has been undergoing refurbishment for many years to restore it to its former beauty. The stained glass windows had just been restored the weekend I visited. The small panels around the altar are the member parishes of the Diocese. Just this week the church was made weatherproof and the organ and power restored so that regular church worship services could resume. For years I have visited the site only to visit the museum and gift store. The church is surrounded by raised graves dating back hundreds of years to...

This is the city's most historical landmark which was built on the top of an extinct volcano. This building goes back more than 200yrs and has its own cemetery which is no longer used. It can be seen for miles as you enter the City of St. Johns. It suffered significant damage during the earthquake of 1974 and had gone through many years of repair. It's clock was also damaged during the quake but has since been repaired. It has been given the title "Big Church" by nationals and has housed many famous visitors throughout the years including Qween Elizabeth the 2nd and government officials. It has been treasured and preserved though the years by members and from donations made by citizens, government officials, and other individuals...

8th February 1843 earthquake reduced the structure to rubble. Rebuilding started soon after and was completed in 1847. On the 25th July 1848 consecrated as a cathedral and parish church of St. John. It was said that a simple wooden church building occupied this site in 1683 and by 1789 it was transformed to brick.

“The first coloured person who was buried in the churchyard at St. John’s was a merchant’s clerk, (whose own blood was tainted, it is said, but who passed as a white man,) the favourite of his master.”

Excerpt From Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume 2 (of 2) / A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day Mrs. Lanaghan This material may be protected...