St John's Cathedral

St John's Cathedral

St John's Cathedral
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This is the oldest Anglican Church in Central America.
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Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles134 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
47
Average
41
Poor
4
Terrible
1

lbacques
New Orleans, LA173 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
We took a Royal Caribbean cruise in December 2022 and one of the ports was Belize City. We did not have a planned excursion that day and decided to do a 20 minute walk from the port to St John's Cathedral.
We took a short tour of St John's which was the first Protestant church founded in Spanish America. The foundation was laid July 20, 1812. As the guide was leading us through the church she pointed out a special pew that dignitaries sit in when they attend services there. Queen Elizabeth II had two visits, in October 1985 and February 1994. The guide mentioned that a service would be starting at noon, so we decided to stay and attend. The service was in English. We were able to meet the two priests who were there after the service ended. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly. I would recommend a visit and also please make a donation since they are recovering from Hurricane Lisa.
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,038 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The St. John's is in downtown Belize on the port's opposite side, across the bridge down the Albert street to its end - it's the farthest spot you should go.
The Church claims to be the oldest Anglican one in central Americas, which is quite visible from its stone/brick facade set in the middle of a nice lawn.
It's pretty small with a quite simple whitewashed interior and timber beams.
When entering a lady asked me for a donation of 5$. I turned back saying it's too much, but she invited me back saying I could put less. I found it inadequate for a place of God to haggle like on a marketplace - donations should be discrete according to your wishing, liking and ability..
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve_Ashland
Ashland, OH89 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Belize City was a stop on our cruise. We didn't want to spend much on this stop so we got off the shipped and started walking. We were advised to take a left at the bridge and go into the safer part of downtown. Our walk allowed us to see a bit of the city. We ended up at St John's. It was OK. It is a pretty place, nice history. As much as anything, we just enjoyed walking through town to get there. Passed a couple of schools along the way. Then in heading back, we walked along the water which was some really nice views.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ghostguy
New York State11 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
While visiting the Cultural Center nearby, we visited St. John's, which is a bit of living history. Built in 1812, it shows the wear of tropical weather and insects. Inside are countless memorial tablets to the Englishmen, their wives and children who succumbed to Yellow Fever over two centuries; others died of drowning. We visited just after Palm Sunday and found the atmosphere beautiful and peaceful, with Belizean palm fronds still adorning the aisles. You can learn a lot about the fist two hundred years of the country simply by reading the inscriptions. One feels impelled to stop and say a prayer for all those Englishmen who expected big profits and, instead, found a cold grave.

Written 10 April 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Creslyn
Belmopan, Belize32 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2014 • Solo
The Cathedral, built in 1812 of bricks is truly a place to visit. The guide at the office told of its history with reverence....The British, after winning the Battle of St. George's Caye and deciding that this land will now be our home, started erecting landmark buildings in the settlement of British Honduras -- using the bricks that came on the ships from England as ballast, they broke ground and establish the Cathedral. Made of bricks on the outside, with mahogany and sapodilla furnishing on the inside, it boast a central chandelier, brass eagle bible stand, a stain glass liking of Jesus on the cross and many historical plaques on its walls.
St John's Cathedral has a solid place in Belize's history........interested in historical buidings'?....go see the Cathedral and walk around its grounds.
Written 29 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

elbojbb
Elmira, NY498 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2014 • Couples
The church isn't a prestigious or glamorous edifice, but the story of its construction, and the different shades of the bricks is a sobering reminder of mankind's sordid history. Interesting paradox that the bricks used to ballast slave ships were ultimately used to build a place of worship.
Written 26 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Myo M
Coquitlam, Canada27,501 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Just one of a "modest stature" is how I would describe this brick cathedral (with not two but just one tower and no high & wide front facade or such) but which yet is a charming one which I would say is also in part due to its "nice & neat" grounds (mainly a small lawn but also like a mini-garden with a pathway along the edge which goes all the way around the Cathedral). And yes, after the walk around the building & taking a peek inside from the entrance was just heading back out due to the admission (which I never had to pay on my cathedral visits except at some big cathedrals with museums & such inside which I'm quite sure is not the case inside this one).

And actually just across the street from one side of this cathedral is the Government House which is a 2-storied beautiful heritage building with a spacious front lawn & a not-too-high lovely fence (but closed to public at the time due to some renovation or such going on). And also nearby, at just about a 5-minute walk from this cathedral (by heading back along the street between this cathedral & the Government House in the direction of downtown but a right turn shortly after leaving) is the waterfront area like a "long promenade" from which there's a view of both the Creek & the sea beyond (from near one end of the promenade).
Written 17 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MightyMo
Kingston, Saint Andrew, Jamaica135 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Solo
Unlike some, I actually went there for worship, so it was not so much a tourist visit. But just the same, you can feel the 200 year history, and might I add I also felt more than welcomed by the other worshipers. The outside of the church has more of an 'older and historic building' than internally. Although I could not help but notice the incredible craftsmanship of the pews. I hope to have the time to go back there and sit in silence. They are restoring the pews a few at a time so leave a small donation for that if you can.
Written 15 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

deelightfull
Southern California30 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2014 • Family
I personally love to visit old places that are still being used. St. John's is just such a place. You can admire the old brick work, stained glass, and how the church is set up to serve it's parishioners today. A fun little visit for a history buff.
Written 1 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

penangnite41
Penang, Malaysia95 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2012 • Solo
A 3 minute walk from my hotel, I visited the cathedral and stayed more than half an hour. Lucky for me, a group of small children with their teacher was inside rehearsing for an upcoming event. There are several tombstones and, inside the cathedral, plaques for deceased persons. The lively young children provided a wonderful contrast to the memory of dead people. The building is of course no match for the great cathedrals of Europe, but it is a nice neighborhood church that captures some of the history of the country. Entrance is free and when in Belize City, is worth a short visit.

Across the street is Government House, also worth a visit.
Written 28 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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St John's Cathedral, Belize City

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