cathedral conception hong_kong cathedral conception chinese late 19th century english gothic revival church serves cathedral hong_kong located area city road groundbreaking construction cathedral began previous cathedral destroyed fire built brick stone new cathedral designed london based architectural firm church opened december day feast conception consecrated years later damaged battle remained untouched subsequent japanese occupation hong_kong turn century cathedral underwent extensive costly program refurbishment completed cathedral listed grade historic building government hong_kong history original structure war hong_kong ceded british treaty colony soon popular missionaries travelling onwards china parish established hong_kong work began new permanent church soon new church located junction street wellington street construction completed years number catholics parish grew significantly partly emigration people neighbouring portuguese colony gradual decline people resided sought better opportunities young colony hong_kong sixteen years built church destroyed fire uncommon devastating fires frequently plagued developing colony new cathedral quickly built site featured iconic twin facade waterfront district church situated rapid growth hong_kong time apparent permanent larger cathedral necessary result plans new church elevated ground located close original site redeveloped commercial residential area small park located nearby present day cathedral new site cathedral selected cornerstone new church laid december company london hired architects years later construction completed church opened december blessed day later construction cathedral cost catholic church consecrated free debt cathedral rite held december exactly years opened ceremony cathedral consecrated second world war cathedral suffered damage anniversary japanese shell dropped battle survived war relatively unscathed decree century mission hong_kong established pope ruled colony british rule remain administration missionary society italy result japanese treated cathedral sovereignty war cathedral spared plundered occupying forces archives preserved better churches hong_kong having left relatively unscathed conclusion war cathedral underwent series renovations roof previously timber replaced concrete damage sanctuary took place main altar moved cathedral crossing air conditioning installed roof underwent significant leaks roof reported massive restoration project took place entailed fixing roof walls niche housing statue conception replacing tiles enhancing lighting sound system installing new stained glass windows chapel lord passion renovation completed december cost total million project success preserving building heritage resulted cathedral given honourable mention presented award anniversary cathedral holds red mass year alternating hosting annual opening architecture interior cathedral built english gothic style shape latin cross exterior walls church built brick stone base columns granite dimensions long wide tall tower centre rising located right main altar sanctuary altar given cathedral king victor italy donation facilitated living hong_kong nobility italy adorned royal coat arms conspicuous symbol italy said helped cathedral identify italian british remain untouched japanese occupation hong_kong empire japan signatories pact altar sacred heart located left main altar altar sacred heart previously high altar original cathedral wellington street houses blessed serving cathedral main removal high altar reserved chapel lord passion located right cathedral chapel lord passion given portugal renovation chapel chosen commemorate newly saints thematically similar gave lives faith jesus sacrifice save mankind new stained glass windows installed depicting saints constructed beneath house remains bishops hong_kong consists deceased bishops remains interred later fact buried milan diocese apply permission allow remains transported hong_kong request eventually granted inspiration came design traditional chinese family house contain remains ancestors bishop time felt symbolic inherit teachings previous generations order inspire future ones cathedral grade historic building prior approval obtained construction work carried treasures relics shortly chinese october relics sixteen placed chapel lord passion stored box designed locally situated foot altar pope november lock hair brought cathedral holy granted diocese hong_kong late diocese earlier requested felt symbolically accomplish pope longtime dream visiting china constantly stated intent visiting country longstanding tensions strained relations china holy bishop expressed hope able mainland chinese faithful visited hong_kong city chinese soil city asia house currently displayed chapel bishops
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Hong Kong)