Did you know St. Mary’s Cathedral has stood here since 1854. It is not just a church. It is a landmark in Varanasi.
Let’s step back to when the British troops were stationed here. The church in Varanasi began in their barracks. Catholic soldiers journeyed from Ghazipur for services. Chaplains from Chunar also ministered here. These stations shared a chaplain in Ghazipur. The area fell under the Vicariate Apostolic of Agra. It was a large unit with few staff.
In 1848 Rome assigned the area to the Vicariate of Patna. Bishop Hartmann came to Varanasi to assess the needs. He chose a house and blessed it as a temporary church. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption. He was soon transferred to Bombay.
Varanasi got its first Parish Priest in 1851. Fr. Athansius Zuber was a Swiss Capuchin. He started baptism marriage and burial registers. These registers continue to this day. He obtained an old government building. It was a disused treasury. Catholics and Protestants donated money. He furnished the church and presbytery. Rome appointed him Bishop. He blessed St. Mary’s in 1854. It retained the title Our Lady of the Assumption. This honored Bishop Hartmann’s memory of a church in Lhasa.
Many successors of Fr Zuber helped the church grow. The Vicariate of Patna became the Diocese of Allahabad in 1886. This sped up the church’s progress. Around 1920 Fr Anthony of Persiceto renovated the Priest’s house. It became a red brick structure with a verandah.
A story tells of a vow to Our Lady of Lourdes. Kumar Rani of Vizianagaram prayed for an heir. In 1929 she asked Fr Paul to build a grotto. It still stands with a marble ex-voto. Fr Lewis of Persiceto built the marble altar in 1930.
Religious communities expanded services to the parish. The Missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles arrived. Their German founder wanted them in Varanasi. They began work in 1927. Fr Paul started the first Catholic school. Miss Florence Mellar was the teacher. Soon the number of students grew. Bishop Poli entrusted the school to the Sisters. They took over in 1932. They were helped by Miss Mellar. St Mary’s Convent School was born. The first building was blessed in 1936 after an earthquake destroyed the original.
The Sisters greatly benefited the Parish. By 1935 two sisters worked as nurses at Ishwari Memorial Hospital. In 1937 Mother Hieronyma became Matron. Mother Mercedes later held the same role. Sisters filled roles as pharmacists and anesthetists. They oversaw the Mid-wifery Training School. The Fathers held daily Mass at the Hospital Chapel. They were thankful for the care given to women and children.
In 1947 the Queen of the Apostles Sisters occupied a building. It became St Philomena’s orphanage. The Indian Missionary Society was founded in Varanasi in 1941. Fr Gaspar A Pinto was inspired by Fr Corti. He wanted to continue Fr Corti’s work. Fr Pinto brought the dream of his mentor to Varanasi. He gathered Indian Priests.
St Mary’s Church became St. Mary’s Cathedral in June 1970. Bishop Patrick Paul D’Souza was installed on August 13 1970. Today St. Mary’s Cathedral stands as a testament to faith service and architectural beauty. It continues to serve the community of Varanasi. The Cathedral reflects the rich history and spiritual significance of this ancient city.