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In the sixth year of the Meiji era (1873), after lifting the long-standing ban on the suppression of Christianity, the believers in Urakami planned to build a church, but at that time, they could not raise enough funds. In the 28th year of the Meiji era (1895), construction of the church began under the design of Father Frainau, and 30 years later, in the 14th year of the Taisho era (1925), this church, known as the first Romanesque brick cathedral in the East, was officially completed.
The Urakami Cathedral features twin towers with a 26-meter-high Angelus Bell, which is magnificent and a source of pride for the believers, symbolizing their faith. However, on August 9, 1945, the church was instantly destroyed by the blast of the atomic bomb, and the Angelus Bell collapsed.
Subsequently, the Angelus Bell was excavated from the rubble, and in the 34th year of the Showa era (1959), a new church was rebuilt using reinforced concrete. In the 55th year of the Showa era (1980), during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Japan, the church was beautifully remodeled to resemble the old Urakami Cathedral with red bricks.
The site displays stone statues and remnants that were destroyed by the atomic bomb. The attached Pieta Memorial Center preserves and exhibits the Angelus Bell that once hung there.
