The elegant and elderly St John’s Cathedral has played a symbolic and enduring role in Hong Kong’s history. As the oldest surviving Western ecclesiastical building in the city, its founding stone was laid by Governor Davis a mere six years after the British took possession of Hong Kong. Since then, the “barren island” ceded to Britain by China in 1841 has become one of the world’s leading centers of trade. St John’s continues to dutifully serve its large Anglican congregation.
　　Throughout the years, St John’s has shared in Hong Kong’s ups and downs, particularly when it suffered damage during the Second World War. On Christmas morning in 1941, a dedicated congregation of 100 gathered for the cathedral’s last mass before Japanese shells rained upon the city. When Hong Kong fell, the cathedral was commandeered by the occupying forces and turned into a club. Many of its congregation were interred and services resumed when the war ended in 1945.
　　The interior of St John’s Cathedral has a lot of refreshing light and colors from the stained glass windows and the lighting. People might find that it is a quiet and refreshing place to relax. It is open for the public for viewing or meditation every day. The main room and the tower are both tall. The stone tower itself looks to be about 9 stories tall. The building's exterior and interior seems to be very clean, well maintained and rich.
　　Outside the building is a Celtic Cross erected in 1952 after the Japanese destroyed the original cross that was erected by Hong Kong Governor Stubbs in 1921 in memorial to the soldiers who were killed in WWI. There is also the tomb of Pte. R. D. Maxwell who was killed in Wan Chai three days before the ceasefire.
　　St John’s Cathedral is in the expensive Central District area that is the government and banking center, and also a major shopping area. It is surrounded by City Hall, the HSBC building, the tall Bank of China Building, the new IFC Mall, and the main Hong Kong government offices and buildings.
　　St. John's is at 4-8 Garden Road, just down from the Peak Tram that goes up Victoria Peak. It is in easy walking distance from the Star Ferry Pier. The building you see today was completed in 1849 and extended in 1873. The cross-shaped structure was created in the styles of 13th century Early English and Decorated Gothic.