The St James Cathedral, which was closed for three years as it was in need of major repairs due to the deterioration of the wooden roof and wood planks on the walls, has been re-opened to the public, last Saturday evening, through the celebration of a rededication service in La Poudrière Street, in Port-Louis. The President, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, and the Vice-president of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Eddy Boissezon, were present on the occasion.
The ceremony started with the remittance of keys by the Works Project Manager to the Dean of the Cathedral, Dean Bryen Adeline, accompanied by his churchwardens. The doors of the Cathedral were then opened and the procession of Bishop Stenio Andre and his clergy followed by the dignitaries moved inside where the rededication service started.
Other thanksgiving services have been organised in November to thank the multiple donors who have gracefully contributed to the repair of the Cathedral, including a team of professional engineers, architects, and quantity surveyors who have given their time free of charge over almost two years to undertake the renovation works.
St James Cathedral
St James Cathedral is the most important church of the Anglican Diocese of Mauritius where most important celebrations and events are held. The priest in charge is Dean Bryen Adeline.
In 1812, after the occupation of the British, the site which actually houses the Cathedral, was allocated to build a church for the British in Mauritius
However, it was found to be too costly and difficult to pull down the massive building that already existed, to erect a new building. Thus, the old building started to be used as a church for the civilian people.
After various modifications between the years 1821 to 1846, the church came to look more like it is today with a transept to look like a cross, a steeple with a tower and spire, and windows opened in the stone walls.
The church was consecrated as an Anglican Cathedral on 26 June 1850 by the Bishop of Colombo visiting Mauritius, Dr James Chapman, and the Diocese of Mauritius was then created. Bishop Vincent William Ryan was consecrated in Canterbury as first Bishop of Mauritius in 1854 and has seen the consecration of 16 bishops, with that of Bishop Stenio Andre on 23 February 2020 being the most recent one.
In 1892, the Cathedral was severely damaged by a cyclone but nevertheless provided refuge to hundreds of victims thanks to its thick stone walls. In 1911, the Cathedral was renovated and re-opened on 22 June just in time for the coronation of King George V.
St James Cathedral has seen the visit of Royalty and three Archbishops of Canterbury notably in 1973, 1993, and in 2014 by the Most Revd Justin Welby.
