If you thought Bangkok was a famous city just for its Thai cuisine, massages, temples, festivals, nightlife and many interesting sights, you might have been wrong all along. Although Buddhism is the main religion practiced in Bangkok, there are many beautiful cathedrals and churches in Bangkok. Christianity had spread throughout the beautiful city since the 16th century when the King of Ayutthaya began foreign trade with the Portuguese. Bangkok has many churches with impressive Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
Christ Church
Christ Church was built in the Gothic style and housed English and Thai congregations. It is located in the Diocese of Singapore and has a capacity of 450 seats. There are six pillars inside the church and decorative stained glass windows. The windows have pictures from the Bible. The crucifixion is behind the communion table, which is the centerpiece of the Church. This was one of the first protestant churches in Bangkok but in Thailand to be completed in the 18th century.
It’s over 175 years old and looks stunning when the light shines through the stained glass windows. The window with the image of Christ with the children is on the left side of the main window. The right window shows two interactions between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. One of the rear windows has an image of a Scottish saint.
This ancient Church in Bangkok is mesmerizing and makes you feel calm and peaceful inside. One of the colorful images you’ll find in one of the stained glass windows is that of Jesus calming the waves. The waves come from the Sea of Galilee. The Church has a weekday kindergarten called Rainbow Land. At one end of the Church is a memorial garden where the ashes of church members are kept along with their photos.
Holy Rosary Church
This is one of the oldest churches in Bangkok and is also known as the Kalawar Church. A Roman Catholic church was built in the 17th century. It is made in the Gothic architectural style. It has decorative motifs and a flat bottom in the shape of a crucifix. The ceiling and the windows are very richly decorated with fine details.
The Church’s stained glass work is the most notable feature of the Church. It faces the river and looks stunning on the outside in cream in daylight. The interiors of the Church are magnificent and have a European influence in style and decoration. It is east of the Chao Phraya River. This site was the first land given to the Portuguese.
Who built this Catholic Church? The bell tower of the Church is impressive. The doors and windows of the Church are designed in the Gothic style. It is worth paying attention to the interiors of the Church. They look impressive with the images on the stained glass window.
The pictures tell the story of the Bible and the life of Jesus. The glassware in this Church is the most impressive of any church in Thailand. The statue of the Mother of the Rosary is beautifully decorated. The Church has a slightly green area with a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Santa Cruz Church
Santa Cruz Church was built by Portuguese Catholics in the 16th century and is one of Bangkok’s oldest and most beautiful churches. The Church’s reddish-brown dome is a landmark seen from the banks of the Chao Phraya River. He is also known by the name “Kudi Jeen.” It is a mixture of Chinese and European architectural styles. A lush green garden surrounds it.
It has been remodeled for the third time by Italian architects. In the corner of the spacious patio, you will find the crucifix. There is also a decorative statue of Mary in this garden. The Church’s walls were stained with stained glass windows with Bible stories and images of Jesus.
This is one of the most common features you will find in most churches in Thailand. Thailand has religious tolerance, and diverse communities live peacefully in Bangkok. At the back of the Church are tombstones and a graveyard. They are the tombstones of the past pastors who served this Church.
