About the Church
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Jelgava is the most important Roman Catholic shrine of the Semigallia region of Latvia, standing in the city of Jelgava. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Jelgava and the bishop's residence.
The origins of the Catholic community in Jelgava go back to the 17th century, when Jesuits began working in the city. The present masonry church was built in 1902–1906 to a design by the Liepāja architect Kārlis Štrandmanis. It was initially consecrated in honour of St George, and in 1925 rededicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The shrine was built in the Gothic Revival style of red brick and richly decorated with ornamental elements. In the summer of 1944 the building burned down during the fighting, leaving only the damaged walls standing; in the following decades the church was gradually rebuilt and refitted.
In 1995 Pope John Paul II established the Diocese of Jelgava and declared this church its cathedral. Today it is the centre of Catholic spiritual life for the whole of Semigallia.
The origins of the Catholic community in Jelgava go back to the 17th century, when Jesuits began working in the city. The present masonry church was built in 1902–1906 to a design by the Liepāja architect Kārlis Štrandmanis. It was initially consecrated in honour of St George, and in 1925 rededicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The shrine was built in the Gothic Revival style of red brick and richly decorated with ornamental elements. In the summer of 1944 the building burned down during the fighting, leaving only the damaged walls standing; in the following decades the church was gradually rebuilt and refitted.
In 1995 Pope John Paul II established the Diocese of Jelgava and declared this church its cathedral. Today it is the centre of Catholic spiritual life for the whole of Semigallia.