Urakami Cathedral/The Old Bell Tower

In 1895, Father Fraineau started the construction of Urakami Cathedral. It took 30 years to finish the construction, even with the local Christians eagerly working on it. Father Fraineau retired in 1911. Finally, in 1925, Father Heuzet saw the completion of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral had twin towers. A Bell was hung at each tower. Although the smaller bell was broken by the Atomic Bombing, the bigger bell was found undamaged under the debris. The bell is hung on the reconstructed Cathedral, which was consecrated by Archbishop Fürstenberg (papal internuncio to Japan). Today it is rung to announce services and funeral ceremonies and so on.