Bicentenary and Centenary of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1825-2025: Researching the History of the Roman Catholic Cathedrals in Georgetown, Guyana
- Historical Research International Inc.
- Dec 19, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
By Dr. Joanne Collins-Gonsalves PhD, FRHistS
It is profoundly significant that in 2025, the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana (South America), and especially the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, witnessed three momentous milestones, notably,
Bicentenary of the Acquisition of land at Brickdam, Georgetown and the Construction of the first Pro-Cathedral (1825-2025)
Centenary of the Full Opening of the Present Cathedral (1925-2025)
65th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Cathedral (1960-2025) marking 200 years of enduring faith, heritage, and spiritual legacy.
Roman Catholic Pro-Cathedral and Cathedrals in Brickdam, Georgetown, Guyana, 19th-21st Centuries.
Bicentenary of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 1825-2025
It is important to note that 2025 is the 200th Anniversary of the Acquisition of the Brickdam property and Construction of the First Roman Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Guyana.
In 1825, Governor Sir Benjamin D’Urban approved the request for land made by the Roman Catholic inhabitants in then British Guiana (now Guyana) and "the Roman Catholic Church in British Guiana was granted a plot of land, free of charge on the old Parade Ground in Stabroek, Georgetown. It is the site of the present Cathedral, bound by Brickdam, Camp and Hadfield streets and Pollard Place. The foundation stone of the first Roman Catholic church was laid on November 12, 1825 by Governor Sir D’Urban, who also gave a personal donation." Joanne Collins-Gonsalves, From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1914-2014 (Georgetown: Guyana Heritage Society, 2014), 6. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located on lots 32-36 Stabroek, Georgetown, a plot of land approximately 310 feet by 200 feet. It is bound by Brickdam, Camp, and Hadfield streets and Pollard Place. Since the Cathedral is located on Brickdam street - a major thoroughfare in Georgetown, it is often popularly referred to as the Brickdam Cathedral.
Historical Linkages
As an historian, my research on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is one of my research areas of focus - the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana, the wider Caribbean, and the Atlantic. I have also led research on the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana with the Gorsebrook Research Institute, Saint Mary's University, Nova Scotia, Canada.
My interest in and connection to this Cathedral also has deep personal roots. My grandmother Muriel Collins recounted to my older family members, the tragic fire of 1913 that destroyed the Cathedral. She later married Charles Collins in 1924 at the Cathedral which was then partially complete. While in 1928, my maternal grandparents Reginald and Leonilda de Rushe were also married there. Continuing the tradition, my own parents Aubrey and Joan Collins were married at the Brickdam Cathedral in1967.
Research on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
In more recent history, the Brickdam Cathedral was also the location where I attended one of my first historic tours of Georgetown organised by the Guyana Heritage Society, and led by the inimitable and knowledgeable Monsignor Terrence Montrose.
Subsequently, in 2004, for commemoration of the Cathedral’s 90th anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Cathedral, when I was an Executive member of the Guyana Heritage Society, the late Past President, Mr. Rizwan Khan requested that I conduct research on the history of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for this significant event. As a result, I began my research.
I conducted research in archives, and libraries in Guyana, as well in the Crypt of the Cathedral, which is located below the High Altar. In 2004, the original plans of the current Cathedral were stored in that location, and remained in very good physical condition. Within the crypt, are also the remains of Bishop Galton S.J., former Vicar Apostolic of British Guiana, who died in 1931 and was entombed there.
Upon completion of my research, I delivered the feature lecture to the members of the Guyana Heritage Society on August 15, 2004 titled “From Ashes to Ferroconcrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: 1914 – 2004.”
At that event, Bishop John Persaud, then Vicar-General of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception welcomed the attendees and led with a prayer. The Chairperson for the lecture was Mr. Rizwan Khan, then President of the Guyana Heritage Society. The evening concluded with a reception and included a harmonica rendition by Mr. Cecil Cunha.
Publication of the first Book on the Brickdam Cathedral
From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1914-2014
In England at The National Archives and the British Library, I later found additional records on the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana, and in 2014, I published the first book on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception during the Centenary celebrations to commemorate the rebuilding of the Cathedral. The book was published by the Guyana Heritage Society and all proceeds went to the Guyana Heritage Society and their future projects. This book was sold out and is now out of print. A revised and updated edition is in the works.
This publication included a Preface by the Most Reverend Bishop Francis Dean Alleyne O.S.B., Bishop of Georgetown, Guyana and an Introduction by noted Guyanese historian and Catholic Nun, Professor Sr. Mary Noel Menezes RSM, PHD, AA. The launch was attended by dignitaries, Catholic clergy and a large number of well wishers. See images below, from my book launch held on December 8, 2014 at the Brickdam Cathedral.
Photographs from the Book Launch for the book From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1914-2014 by Dr. Joanne Collins-Gonsalves, December 8, 2014, Georgetown, Guyana.
Centenary of the Opening of the Cathedral, 1925-2025
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Georgetown, Guyana was opened in stages. The western half of the Cathedral was opened in 1921 and Masses and other significant events including weddings were subsequently celebrated there. Thereafter, construction on the building continued. The Cathedral was fully opened on December 13, 1925 when the eastern half was completed. While the Cathedral was considered fully opened, additional works continued until 1927.
On December 13, 2025, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception celebrated the Centenary of the Opening of the Cathedral, 1925-2025. In commemoration of this anniversary, I delivered a virtual lecture titled: The History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: Celebrating the Centenary of the Opening of the Cathedral, 1925-2025. The webinar was expertly hosted by Mr. Joshua Van-Sluytman of Catholic Media Guyana. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception commemorated this event with a Festival of Trees and a centenary celebratory Mass, among other events.
Consecration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1960-2025
In addition to the major milestones of the bicentenary and centenary, the Brickdam Cathedral was consecrated in October 1960, marking 65 years since this solemn occasion in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana. The Cathedral’s bicentenary and centenary, together with the sixty-fifth anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral, constitute a significant moment in its sacred history.
Scholarly Engagement, Research Provenance, and Gratitude
My research on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has encompassed scholarly exploration at archives, libraries, and research institutions in Guyana and internationally. My thanks to the staff of The National Archives (UK), the British Library, the British Jesuit Archives, the Catholic Standard (Guyana), and the National Archives of Guyana for their kind and ready assistance over the years. I acknowledge with great gratitude, Bishop Francis Alleyne who supported my research by allowing access to the archives of the Catholic Standard, Guyana. To Monsignor Terrence Montrose, and Bishop John Persaud, previous Administrators of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Guyana for kindly granting access to historical records and photographs of the Cathedral. As well as all key persons I spoke with over the years. To the parishioners of Brickdam Cathedral, both past and present, it is an honour to document the Cathedral's structure and history.
Congratulations once again to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana, on the 200th Anniversary of the Acquisition of land at Brickdam, Georgetown and the Construction of the first Pro-Cathedral (1825-2025); the 100th Anniversary of the Opening of the Present Cathedral (1925-2025); and the 65th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1960-2025.
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Dr. Joanne Collins-Gonsalves holds a PhD in History. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (UK) and Managing Director of the Historical Research International Inc. (Canada).
References
Joanne Collins-Gonsalves, From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1914-2014 (Georgetown: Guyana Heritage Society, 2014).
Joanne Collins-Gonsalves, "The Roman Catholic Church in Guyana: A Historical Overview" in Aspects of European Guyanese Heritage (Georgetown: Guyana Heritage Society, 2017).
John Bridges, Men of Faith: Who Served the Catholic Church in British Guiana Under Bishops Etheridge, Butler and Galton, 1857-1931 (London: Jesuit Missions, 1988).
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