ST. JOHN ‘S CATHEDRAL：THE OLDEST WESTERN CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN HONG KONG

Built from stone and grey bricks, St. John's Cathedral‘s foundation stones were laid by then-Governor Sir John Davis on March 11, 1847. Its construction was completed in 1849.

St. John's Cathedral 

(From kreuzfahrt-praxis official website)

As the oldest Western Christian church in Hong Kong, your gaze will be drawn to its feature—the granite tower with shutters of windows and decorations of trefoil and quatrefoil windows (Antiquities and Monuments Office, 2021). These design elements showed how Western architecture adapted to the subtropical climates. The building displays an early English ornate Gothic style in the lancet arches, ribbed stone details, and geometric patterns of windows.  After nearly a century, in 1934, the smooth exterior walls were resurfaced with roughcast, a textured coating that helps protect the structure from weathering.

 

The windows inside the church

(Photo was taken by author)

Entering the interior of the church, you will find that in St. John's Cathedral, a large number of three-leaf Windows are commonly seen in corridor screens, stairwells or small Windows on secondary facades. Furthermore, the basic lines of the extraordinarily elegant coverings contrast with the vertical structure of the church's Gothic architecture, retaining functionality while complementing the rhythm of the facade through the perfectly positioned slats.   Some of the blinds have little arched window lintels above, which mimic the main hall's pointed arch form.   Finally, as your attention moves, you will observe that the four-leaf Windows of St. John's Cathedral frequently take the form of stone or wood carvings, with the edges of the leaves embellished with bas-relief designs such as vines and crosses.   The colored glass version amplifies the light and shadow effects with tones like red, blue, and gold, resulting in a religious environment. The beauty of these Windows brings a sense of peaceful harmony to people's hearts.

The windows inside the church

(Photo was taken by author)

As an enduring spiritual and architectural landmark, St. John's Cathedral has provided a place of peace and reflection for generations of Hong Kong residents, both local and international. Its iconic windows and serene interior have made it a shared symbol of continuity and tranquility in the heart of the city.

The windows inside the church

(Photo was taken by author)