St Paul’s Cathedral in the city was consecrated on this day. To mark the occasion Queen Victoria had sent “ten pieces of silver-gilt plate” for the cathedral.
The decision to build the cathedral was prompted by the realisation that St John’s Church was too small to accommodate the city’s European community, which was growing.
ADVERTISEMENT
The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid in 1939. The imposing structure was built in the Indo-Gothic style. It has a chancel, a sanctuary and chapels. It has a tall spire.
The tower and the spire are said to modelled on Norwich Cathedral. St Paul’s Cathedral was designed by the army engineer Major William Nairn Forbes, with the help of architect C. K. Robinson, at the request of Bishop Wilson.