Holy Ghost Cathedral, Mombasa, Catholic cathedral in Makadara area, Mombasa, Kenya

Holy Ghost Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in Mombasa, Kenya, built in the Romanesque Revival style with thick stone walls and rounded arches. The interior has high ceilings and stained glass windows that filter the coastal light into warm, colored patterns across the floor and pews.

The first Catholic mission in Mombasa was founded in 1889 by Father Alexander le Roy, a Spiritan. In January 1898 he bought five acres in Makadara, and a church was completed there on Easter Sunday 1898. A larger church was finished in 1923, and in May 1955 the church was elevated to cathedral status with the creation of the Diocese of Mombasa.

The cathedral is an active place of worship where Sunday masses draw large congregations from across the city and the wider coastal region. Visitors who step inside outside of service times can see votive candles, religious art, and devotional objects that reflect the faith life of the local community.

The cathedral sits in central Mombasa and is easy to reach on foot from many nearby points of interest in the city. Visitors should dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees, and keep voices low if a service is taking place inside.

The roof was freely inspired by that of Westminster Cathedral in London, and its trusses are made of Indian teak, with each load-bearing beam weighing up to a tonne. The stained glass depicts Saint Francis Xavier, patron of the Goan community, and Saint Patrick, patron of Ireland.