What to expect
A prominent landmark, St Paul's Cathedral is the cathedral of the diocese and the Anglican parish church of Victoria, Mahé.
The building stands in the middle of the capital and makes a quiet stop between the market, the clock tower and the shops. The interior is light and open, so that light and air move freely through it. Anyone looking mainly for architecture will not find a grand showpiece. The church is simple, but it remains a living place for the congregation: services are held regularly in English and Creole, and in August 2025 the fifth Bishop of Seychelles was consecrated here.
History
The original church was dedicated to the apostle St Paul and stood on the site of the present church. It was blessed on 14 May 1859 by Vincent William Ryan, the first Bishop of Mauritius. Over the years the building was extended twice: in 1910 with a new tower and in 1978 with a freestanding altar.
In December 1920 St Paul's became a pro-cathedral, where the bishop had his second seat (the 'cathedra'), and the name of the diocese changed from Mauritius to the Diocese of Mauritius and Seychelles. In 1973 Seychelles was given its own Anglican diocese and with it its own bishop.
Because of a constant lack of space and difficult, costly maintenance, it was decided in 2001 to rebuild the structure completely. The cathedral was blessed in April 2004 (on 15 April, according to the Seychelles News Agency). It was financed by generous donations from the government and private individuals, and now offers twice as much room, seating 800 people.
Getting there and parking
St Paul's Cathedral is a stone's throw from the Clocktower, on Albert Street. Victoria is compact, so you can walk to the cathedral from all the central points of the town.
By car
You can park, for example, at the Stadium Car Park on Francis Rachel Street. It lies between Francis Rachel Street and Independence Avenue and is considered the largest car park in town. Parking in the centre is charged. Parking tickets are usually available at the nearby post office, and the tariffs are displayed at the car parks and can differ from one to another.
By bus
Victoria is the hub of Mahé's public bus network. From most coastal villages you can reach the town without changing, and from the bus station it is only a few minutes on foot. Current timetables and fares are posted at the bus stops by the transport company, and we cannot guarantee any times here.
Opening hours, services and admission
Opening hours: Daily 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. This information dates from earlier years and could not be confirmed at present. Outside services the church may be open for shorter hours.
Admission: We know of no entrance fee. A donation for the parish will certainly be welcome.
Mass times: Mass is held daily at the following times:
| Day | Time | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12.15 pm | Midday Eucharist |
| Tuesday | 12.00 pm | Praise & Worship |
| Wednesday | 9.00 am | Holy Eucharist / La Sainte Communion (alternating) |
| Thursday | 12.00 pm | Praise & Worship / Deliverance Service |
| Friday | 12.15 pm | Litany, English / Kreol (alternating) |
| Saturday | 4.30 pm | Holy Eucharist |
| Sunday | 7.00 am | Holy Communion |
| Sunday | 9.00 am | Holy Eucharist |
| Sunday | 11.00 am | Praise & Worship / Eucharist |
An older listing also gave Tuesday 6.30 am and Thursday 6.30 am and 1.00 pm. Whether these services still take place has not been confirmed.
Visiting and tips
If you are planning a walk around Victoria, it is best to combine the cathedral with the places nearby: the Victoria Clocktower, the Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market, the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the National Museum of History and the Seychelles Natural History Museum. The Seychelles National Botanical Gardens lie a little outside the centre.
