Overview

Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian Shillong, Meghalaya

Mary Help of Christian Cathedral is located in Shillong of Meghalaya. Once Meghalaya being a part of Mission of Assam, it became the first Catholic missionaries built by the German Salvatorian Fathers, who were also known as the Society of Divine Saviour. The first structure of the church was built in the year 1913; it was a wooden structure which got destroyed in the 'Good Friday' fire in the year 1936. After the first church got burnt down, the new church of the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian made out of stone was built on the same place as the old one was built in the same year i.e. 1936.

This building was made on sand instead of having a cement based foundation, which makes the church more interesting since Shillong and other cities of Meghalaya are prone to severe earthquakes. This church in Shillong covers the areas like the district of the East Khasi hills and the Ri-Bhoi in Meghalaya. This church is also known for the 'Catherdra' which refers to the Throne or sea of the Bishop, hence being known as a Cathedral church in Meghalaya. And there are many Catholics in the East Khasi and the Ri-Bhoi districts in Meghalaya.