Oura Cathedral

Overview

Oura Cathedral, built in Nagasaki's foreign settlement after the opening of Japan, is known as the oldest surviving church in the country. Facing Glover Garden Street in the Minamiyamate area, it's a Gothic-style church adorned with stunning stained glass. Completed at the end of 1864, the following March, hidden Christians (kakure kirishitan) from Urakami visited and openly declared their faith, making it the scene of an unprecedented 'discovery of believers' in the history of world religions. Dedicated to the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan, who were martyred just before its construction, the cathedral faces Nishizaka Slope, the site of their martyrdom. Some of the stained glass inside dates back to renovations in 1879, creating a solemn atmosphere steeped in history. Although a brick structure, its exterior is whitewashed. It was designated a National Treasure in 1933, and again in 1953 after repairs following damage from the atomic bombing. In 2018, it became a component asset of the UNESCO World Heritage site, 'Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.' The adjacent former Nagasaki Seminary and former Nagasaki Archbishop's Palace now house the Kirishitan Museum, exhibiting numerous historically significant documents and materials related to Christianity in Nagasaki.