Description
St. Michael's Cathedral is a large Catholic Cathedral in the Sakon Nakhon district of Tha Rae, the largest Catholic community in Thailand. Shaped like a boat, it is formally named St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral. Near one of the cathedral's columns you'll see a prominent sculpture of St. Michael holding a spear, which symbolizes the vanquishing of Satan and God's triumph over evil
The original Tha Rae Catholics migrated to the area from Vietnam in around 1884, bringing with them not only their Christianity but some of their French colonial influence, which is seen in the buildings and town layout of Tha Rae. The community is also known for a dazzling Christmas parade called the Christmas Star Festival, which attracts many Thai tourists from Bangkok.
On the grounds of St. Michael's Cathedral, you will asee a cave scene, symbolizing when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, sculptures of Mary and Joseph, a sculpture of Tha Rae's first abbot Father Joseph Gombria (who served from 1885 until his death in 1937) and a bell tower. Interestingly, the Vietnamese immigrants who settled here also built a bell tower for the famous Sakon Nakhon temple Wat Phra That Choeng Chum.
St. Michael's Cathedral isn't the only place dedicated to the archangel St. Michael. As you are traveling on Route 22 and arrive in the Tha Rae district, you will see the St. Michael Tower, a small church which also serves the community.
