The oldest Cathedral outside of England 



Saint Jago-de-la-Vega


The Cathedral of the Diocese of Jamaica stands in the South-eastern part of Spanish Town.. It is surrounded by a brick wall on three sides and the wall of the Saint Catherine District Prison on the South side. It is the oldest cathedral outside Britain and is full of Jamaican history.



When the Spaniards built thier town of Saint Jago-de-la-Vega (Saint James of the Plain) they built two churches sometime between 1523 and 1530. These were the Red Cross Church, named after Saint Catherine, together with the Abbey, and the White Church of Saint Mary.

The Soldiers of Oliver Cromwell destroyed both churches; theWhite Cross Church was never rebuilt but, a church was built on a portion of the land on which the Red cross Church stood.



Cannon S. P. henderick, who wrote: "A ketch of the History of the Cathedral Church" said that "From such sources of information as are available, it seems evident that the church of the Red Cross was, after extensive repairs, effected between 1662 and 1644 when Sir Charles Lyttleton was Lt. Governer of the island, rendered servicable and, was used by the Govenor of the Island, his wife, members of the council and of the house of assembly."



Destroyed by the hurricane of 1712, it was rebuilt of brick in the form of a Latin cross in 1714 and called the Church of Saint Jaoo-de-la-Vega.

In 1901 the Cathedral was restored to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria but in 1907 it was again damaged and by 1908 restored.

Source: Booklet by The Rev. Canon Georgr E. Thomas Rector & Senior Canoon 1978



Significant Dates:

1523 - 15 30: Conartuction Of  The Red Cross and The White Cross Church.
1662 - 1644: Red Cross Church rebuilt after Cromwellian destruction.
1712: Destroyed By Hurricane.
1714: Rebuilt of Bricks and renamed the Church of St. Jago-de-la-Vega (Saint James of the Plain).
10/04/1825: First ordination in the church held by Bishop Lipscomb.
04/1858: Reginald Courtney delivers first charege as Diocesan.
1817: Tower Added.
1848 - 1853: Present Chancel built and constructed.
1893: New bell installed.
04/1899: Cathedral Chapter organised, Canons installed.
1907: Cathedral Damaged.
1908: Cathedral restored to commemorate reign of Queen Victoria.
1911: First  Consecration of a Bishop in Jamaica, Edward Hutson, Bishop of Antigua By Arshbishop Nuttal.
1939 - 1945: War-damaged Rerodos of St Paul's Cathedral London, Gifted to St. Jago-de-la-Vega from the Dean and Chapter.
01/05/1947: First Black Bishop in West Indies, Canon P.W Gibson, consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Kingston.
24/07/1970: First Jamaican-born priest to go overseas as a Diocesan Bishop, Rev . O. U. Lindsay.