Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Chiang Mai

The Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Chiang Mai is the seat of the Bishop of Chiang Mai. The Catholic diocese covers 27 parishes in North Thailand.

The first Sacred Heart Catholic Church was built in 1931 in Chiang Mai. The parish was elevated to an Apostolic Prefecture in 1959 and to the Diocese of Northern Thailand in 1965. The old church was replaced by a larger Cathedral to house the seat of the Bishop in 1965. The present structure was built in a modern style and was inaugurated on the 30th of October 1999.

The present church is a large brick modern building. The courtyard has a small shrine to the apparition of Mary at Lourdes. A series of brick arches lead to the intricately carved doors of the imposing and well maintained building. Daily mass is celebrated at the Cathedral in Thai. The English Mass is celebrated on Sundays. The parishioners consist of Thais, Asians, Europeans living in Chiang Mai, tourists and other visitors. Easter and Christmas are major celebrations at the Cathedral. At first the English Mass was held in a smaller chapel near the main Church Hall. The Thai congregation requested the bishop to say Mass in the main Church as the number of parishioners, conversant in English increased.