Nestled near the banks of the Chao Praya River in Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown, Kalawar Church is a stunning blend of traditional Thai and Western architecture. This historic church not only serves as a spiritual haven for the local community but also as a captivating site for visitors intrigued by its rich heritage and unique design.
Kalawar Church, located at the confluence of cultural allure and historical significance, stands as a landmark in Bangkok’s Chinatown, drawing both locals and tourists. Established in the late 19th century, this church is one of Bangkok’s oldest Christian establishments, eloquently showcasing the city’s colonial past. The impressive facade, adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, invites visitors to explore its serene interior, where stained glass windows cast colorful patterns across the space. Surrounded by bustling street markets and the tranquil Chao Praya River, it serves as a peaceful retreat amid the city’s vibrant energy. The church hosts various community events and services, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. As one of Bangkok’s must-visit historical sites, Kalawar Church exudes charm and spirituality, making it an essential stop for those wishing to immerse themselves in the city’s diverse cultural tapestry. A visit to Kalawar Church promises an enriching experience filled with history, tranquility, and architectural beauty.
โบสถ์กาลหว่าร์ (กรุงเทพมหานคร (กทม.), ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
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Kalawar Church Bangkok is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Chao Praya River Limit with Bangkok Chinatown, Thailand
interesting area of Bangkok but the church itself is pretty average. I don’t think many people come to Bangkok to look at Catholic churches at least not myself. The area is worth visiting and you might as well take a few photos of the church while in the area.
Travelling is quite a hassle but it is a worth visit for me personally, you will need to change BTS as if you are in Silom line you need to change over to the dark green line & alight @ Saphan Taksin station, follow signs to reach the boat ride, boat tickets are cheap, you may wask the counter staffs they can speak good english, alight at Si phaya Pier it is just a short ride.After alighting from the boat, you will see a small alley just walk straight & will see the main road, turn left you will see hotels by the side & look up you will see the church, you will soon see a small lane that will leads you to the church.
I am rarely found of churches in Asia, but it is always interesting to visit few. This one has an interesting story and is situated close to the river. It is at a walk-able distance from Hua Lumphong station, so do not hesitate to go there, it will not take too much time and can be clubbed with a visit to the Chinese and Indian areas.I was only disappointed not to find any candles during my visit. I really wanted to light some. It might have been because I came just after a wedding ceremony, but I did not notice any candle tables inside the church.
A good place for prayer/meditation even for a non-Catholic like me (a Buddhist) – the Church is open-minded/accommodative enough to let non-Christians see its interiors (and most likely join the mass on Sundays), likewise any other religious places in Thailand. Its enchanting time-honored stained glasses and historical engravings R worth a visit
This church is also known as The Holy Rosary Church and was built by the Portugese in 1786 with a land grant from King Rama I. The architecture is neo-Gothic and the stained windows depict scenes from the Old and New Testament. A statue of the Virgin Mary stands in the little landscaped garden in the Sister’s quarters. It should be visited while doing a walking tour through Chinatown.
We drove to the church on Friday. It was peaceful. The church is riverside and is between two schools. The stained glasses were beautiful. We stayed there about 30 minutes.
Lovely RC church. Just on China town walking street.Lovely altar and beautiful ceiling and stained glass windows.Very interesting hstory and architecture.
The church was built under gothic style but inside under renaissance style. The intern is decorated with french details. Very beautiful !
Located down a narrow soi/lane in Old Bangkok lies this Roman Catholic Church that has its origins with the Portuguese community dating back to the late 1700’s. The current Gothic style structure dates back to the late 1800’s. Inside, the church contains numerous arched doors and windows along with copious amounts of beautiful stained glass windows. Sitting in a pew in a late afternoon, the dim lighting made the air temperature feel that much cooler and the light coming through the stained glass windows cast colorful shadows on the Church’s interior. If you’re in the area it’s worth a visit. There are several luxury hotels as well as a high end riverfront mall (River City Bangkok) located very close to this historic church.
The Portuguese were the first nation to establish diplomatic ties with the Thai. When the Church of Santa Cruz was taken over by the French clergy the Portuguese asked the king to allocate them land on the opposite bank of the river to build their own church 1787. They built this church in Gothic style and named it Kalawar. Kalawar means cavalry in Portuguese language. It was the location where Jesus Christ was mounted onto the cross. The other name of this church is Holy Rosary Church. It is a very European Church.