Wau Cathedral (St. Mary’s Cathedral)

Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan

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Wau Cathedral, also known as St. Mary’s Cathedral, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan.

Established in 1905, it is one of the oldest and largest churches in the country, serving as a religious, cultural, and community landmark. The cathedral is a red-brick building featuring traditional architectural elements like a cupola and rose window.

Throughout South Sudan’s turbulent history, especially during civil conflicts, St. Mary’s Cathedral has played a significant role as a sanctuary and refuge for displaced people fleeing violence, sheltering thousands at times within its grounds. It continues to have an important spiritual influence on the local population and remains a symbol of hope and peace amid ongoing challenges.

The Diocese of Wau, with the cathedral as its center, is part of the wider Catholic ecclesiastical province under the metropolitan Archdiocese of Juba.