Saint Columban Cathedral

圣高隆庞主教座堂

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hanyang (漢陽) is a Latin suffragan diocese in the Ecclesiastical province of Hankou in Peoples Republic of China, yet still depends on the Roman Missionary Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith). Its cathedral episcopal see is Saint Columban Cathedral, of the Hanyang District, in the prefecture-level city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, China. It is also the largest church in Hanyang.

This Roman Catholic Cathedral was established by the Missionary Society of Saint Columban. This society was founded in Ireland, in 1919, and came to Hanyang, China the following year. This mission created two parishes in China: Hanyang, Hubei and Jinggangshan, Jiangxi. Hanyang was seen as the headquarters of this religious society in China.

In 1921, Bishop Edward John Galvin SSC (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210565435) bought a private house at the west gate of Hanyang and converted it into a church. In 1936, the construction of this cathedral was supervised by Rev Joseph Crossan SSC. It was built with a length of more than 50 meters and a width of about 15 meters, which can accommodate more than 500 people. A pair of square carillon towers were built on the front facade of the church, and the main entrance is designed with exquisite Rose window. Behind the Cathedral is the Notre Dame and the Bishop's Office Building.

In 1966, when the Cultural Revolution began, the church was converted into a factory building, which seriously damaged the building. It was not until December 14, 1990, 24 years later, that Cathedral of Saint Columban was restored.

Recently, the Wuhan Municipality planned to combine Hanyang's old city reconstruction with the building in front of the church to be demolished into a square, making Cathedral of Saint Columban a local sight.

Saint Columban Cathedral, in Hanyang, is listed as a protected historical building in Wuhan.