Memorial Cathedral of World Peace Hiroshima

• History of Memorial Cathedral of World Peace
• Access - Getting To Memorial Cathedral of World Peace
• Places of Worship

Memorial Cathedral of World Peace, Hiroshima 世界平和記念聖堂

The Memorial Cathedral of World Peace in central Hiroshima, a short walk from Hiroshima Station, is a striking example of modern architecture and a tribute to the love, sacrifice and determination of the Reverend Hugo Lassalle.

History of Memorial Cathedral of World Peace

The Memorial Cathedral of World Peace grew from the ashes of the previous Noboricho parish church that was destroyed in the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945.

The German pastor of the church, the Reverend Hugo Lassalle, was wounded in the bombing but determined to rebuild his church as a memorial to world peace.

Laselle became a naturalized Japanese citizen in 1948 taking the name of Enomiya Mabiki.

Gaining the blessing of Pope Pius XII in Rome, Enomiya-Lassalle collected contributions from all around the world to obtain the funds to build the new Memorial Cathedral of World Peace, which was completed on 6 August 1954 and was designed by Japanese architect Murano Togo, who was a judge on the original panel to choose an architect. When no winner could be decided Murano took on the work himself and even waived his fee!

Specific gifts from overseas include the pipe organ from Cologne in Germany and the altar of black marble from Belgium. Other donations came from Spain, Portugal and Mexico.

The style of the cathedral is a mix of western modernism with Japanese flourishes. The stained glass windows, for example feature typical Japanese motifs of bamboo, pine, and plum blossoms.

Memorial Cathedral of World Peace, Hiroshima

Memorial Cathedral of World Peace, Hiroshima

The church is the hub of Catholic life in Hiroshima and the building itself is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Mass is said in Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog and English. Visitors are free to enter the church but are asked to remain quiet during services.

Memorial Cathedral of World Peace, Hiroshima
Memorial Cathedral of World Peace, Hiroshima

Access - Getting to the Memorial Cathedral of World Peace

The Memorial Cathedral of World Peace is located 10 minutes on foot south-west of Hiroshima Station and close to the Hiroden Kanayamacho (Ginzancho) and Jogakuin-mae tram stops. The nearest bus stop is Jogakuin-mae bus stop.

Memorial Cathedral of World Peace (cpap.hiroshima-diocese.net)
4-42 Nobori-cho
Naka-ku
Hiroshima
Tel: 082 221 0621
Alternative url: www.nobori-cho-catholic.com