Cathedral San Lucas, Panama City

Cathedral San Lucas, Panama City

Cathedral San Lucas in Panama City boasts a rich history and architectural splendor that marks it as one of Latin America's most significant Episcopal churches. Initially started as a private chapel in the home of Coronal William Crawford, it transformed into a wooden chapel in 1908, intended to later become Saint Luke's Episcopal Church of Ancon. Bishop James Craik Morris later spearheaded the vision to replace this wooden structure with a more permanent and grandiose edifice.

Construction of the new building concluded on August 12, 1923, and the cathedral was consecrated on the third Sunday of Lent in 1924. Situated in the Ancon district, the Cathedral San Lucas is strategically located near Cerro Ancón, easily accessible from Plaza Cinco de Mayo.

Owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Panama, this iconic structure is renowned for its Italian Neo-classical style, an architectural choice that utilized the then-innovative technique of reinforced concrete. This design not only provides a breathtaking aesthetic but also a testament to the engineering capabilities of the era.

The Cathedral San Lucas played a pivotal role during the construction of the Panama Canal, serving as a spiritual haven for many and continuing to be a central figure in the Episcopal community in Panama. Today, the cathedral offers regular services and a special bilingual service on the first Sunday of every month, inviting a diverse congregation to experience its magnificence.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Panama City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Cathedral San Lucas on Map

Sight Name: Cathedral San Lucas
Sight Location: Panama City, Panama (See walking tours in Panama City)
Sight Type: Religious

Walking Tours in Panama City, Panama

Create Your Own Walk in Panama City

Create Your Own Walk in Panama City

Creating your own self-guided walk in Panama City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Walking Tour

Old Town Walking Tour

Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo, is the fabulous old city of Panama. UNESCO has recognized the old city's cultural and architectural importance and listed Old Town as a World Heritage Site.

Spain founded Panama City in 1519. In 1671, pirate Henry Morgan destroyed the original city. In 1674 Spanish conquistador Alonso Mercado de Villacorta rebuilt Casco Viejo five miles south of...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Historical Churches Tour

Historical Churches Tour

Caught between the lush green mountains and the ocean, the capital of Panama is a concentration of colors and styles. The evidence of Spanish influence is still vivid in the colonial landmarks, especially religious sites.

For centuries, colonial religious architecture has played an important role in the configuration of the urban layout of Panama City. By the 17th century, convents had an...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles