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From Syuru and Ayam to a cathedral.

The Gospel came to Asmat by river. In 1936 Father Herman Tillemans, MSC visited the area, and in 1938 Father Hendrikus Cornelisse, MSC built churches at Syuru and Ayam. The first Catholic teachers arrived in November 1941; the Japanese occupation of 1943 halted the mission.

  1. 1936

    First visit by Fr. Herman Tillemans, MSC.

  2. 1938

    Churches at Syuru and Ayam.

  3. 1952

    19 April 1952

    The parish register opens.

  4. 1953

    3 February 1953

    First baptism in Kampung Syuru by Fr. Gerard Zegwaard, MSC.

  5. 1958

    15 December 1958

    Four American Crosier missionaries (OSC) arrive.

  6. 1969

    23 November 1969

    The Diocese of Agats is established; Bishop Alphonse A. Sowada, OSC is ordained its first bishop.

  7. 2002

    Bishop Aloysius Murwito, OFM becomes the second bishop.

  8. 2015

    Construction of the new cathedral begins.

  9. 2026

    The new cathedral's structure is complete.

The A-frame of the present cathedral under construction on timber piles, with logs in the water and palms around
Construction of the present cathedral. Parish communications team
Inside the cathedral when it was new: empty pews, a plain wooden cross on the plank wall and a simple altar
Inside the cathedral (digitally restored). Parish communications team
Black-and-white photograph: a procession of clergy in white vestments on the boardwalk before the A-frame church and bell tower
A procession in front of the cathedral (digitally restored). Parish communications team
The cathedral when its timber was painted dark red, with the bell tower and a boardwalk through tall grass
The cathedral painted dark red (digitally restored). Parish communications team
The present cathedral seen along the boardwalk, people at the door and the bell tower on the right
The cathedral from the boardwalk (digitally restored). Parish communications team

This history is still being written.