Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong: Full Travel Guide.

Meghalaya is one of the states in India where Christianity is followed by a majority of people. Therefore, the many big and beautiful Churches in Shillong have become a part of the landscape of the capital city.

The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, also known as the Cathedral Catholic Church, is a Roman Cathedral Catholic Church located in the Laitumkhrah locality of Shillong, at a distance of 3.5 km from Shillong Bus Terminal. It is the principal place of worship and among the most famous places to visit in Shillong, dedicated to Mother Mary. 

The Cathedral Church of Mary Help of Christians, often referred to as Shillong Cathedral by the locals, was built by the Germans in 1913, and the present shrine was built after the first church got destroyed due to a fire accident in 1936. It got the status of a shrine in 1980, on completion of 100 years of North East India Catholic Church. Therefore, if you are in the city, visiting this church should be on your list of things to do in Shillong. 

History of the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians:

Since it was built, this church has served as a symbol of hope and devotion for Catholics not only in Shillong but across Northeast India. Its designation as a shrine in 1980 marked a century of Catholic presence in the region, underscoring its historical and cultural significance. The visitors can witness, hear about, and feel the Mary Help of Christians history as they go around the premises of the Church.

This church falls under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong and is the principal place of worship of about 300,000 strong Catholics of Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The church is situated atop an emerald-coloured hill and referred to as the Shillong Cathedral by members of the church and locals.

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