Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, Bukavu, Catholic cathedral in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Our Lady of Peace Cathedral stands in the Ndendere quarter of Ibanda commune, Bukavu, on Avenue de la Cathédrale, bounded by Lake Kivu to the north. Its plans were drawn by Father Van Der Audera, and its stained glass, in a spare luminous style, was designed by glassmaker Michel Martens. The bricks came from Kashofu on Idjwi Island.

The first chapel on the site was erected in 1929 by Father Colle, and in 1943 the Missionaries of Africa set up a community to build a church. On 4 August 1948 Bishop Richard Cleire laid the first stone; construction lasted until 1951. The cathedral was consecrated on 18 October 1951, the feast of Saint Luke, and dedicated to Our Lady of Peace.

The cathedral serves as a gathering place where the local faith community comes together for worship and daily spiritual practice. It holds deep meaning for residents who see it as a symbol of their religious identity and connection to the wider church.

The building is accessible to visitors, particularly during regular service times when the community gathers for worship. It helps to be aware of scheduled activities and to dress and behave respectfully when inside.

Local craftspeople used regional stones and materials from the area when building the cathedral, blending them with European architectural traditions. This combination of local resources with imported design shows how the two worlds came together in one structure.