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Church · Georgetown, Demerara-Mahaica
Catedral de São Jorge (St. George's Cathedral)
Anglican wooden cathedral in neo-Gothic style, 43.5 metres high, completed in 1894. White walls, a pointed tower and an interior of dark wooden beams and arches in the Cummingsburg neighbourhood.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Catedral de São Jorge (St. George's Cathedral)
The Catedral de São Jorge is the Anglican cathedral of Georgetown and one of the city's symbols. It was designed by the English architect Arthur Blomfield and built between 1889 and 1894, entirely of wood in the neo-Gothic style. At 43.5 metres high, it is often cited among the tallest wooden churches in the world and is a national monument of Guiana.
On the outside, the church is painted white, with a pointed tower, steep roofs and ogival-arched windows. The timber used came from the country's own forests, resistant to termites and humidity, and the whole was conceived for the tropical climate: the high openings allow air to circulate and the nave stays cool even on hot afternoons.
Inside, the nave reveals a structure of beams, arches and columns of dark wood, with coloured stained glass. The cathedral remains in regular use, with Sunday services, so visiting hours vary according to the church's schedule.
The cathedral stands on Church Street in the Cummingsburg neighbourhood, a few blocks from the Museu Nacional, the Promenade Gardens and the Museu Walter Roth. It's worth combining all four on a walking morning through the centre.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
20 to 40 minutes to see the exterior and the nave.
Best time
In the morning, with light on the façade side and less heat. On Sunday mornings there are services; tourist visits are quieter during the week. The nave's opening times change: check before you go.
How to get there
It is on Church Street in the Cummingsburg neighbourhood, in the centre. From Stabroek Market it's about a 15-minute walk along the Avenue of the Republic. By taxi, it's a short ride from any downtown hotel.
Tip
Walk around the cathedral before entering: the side façades better show the woodwork and the ogival windows. Modest clothing is welcome inside the church. Combine the visit with the Museu Nacional, five minutes on foot.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Catedral de São Jorge (St. George's Cathedral)
Is the Catedral de São Jorge entirely made of wood?
Yes. The structure, the walls, the arches and the columns are of hardwood from the forests of Guiana, in a late 19th-century neo-Gothic design.
Can you enter the cathedral?
The cathedral is a functioning church and usually opens the nave to visitors outside service times. Hours vary; check before you go.
How long does the visit take?
Between 20 and 40 minutes to walk around the exterior and see the nave. It is close to other downtown sights, allowing you to combine several in a morning.
What is the height of the cathedral?
It is 43.5 meters to the top of the tower, placing it among the tallest wooden structures in the city and the country.