Until 1945, when it was destroyed by fire caused by the air attack, Tokyo Cathedral was a wooden gothic style church.
It was built in 1899 by the students as the Chapel of the French Missionaries Seminary, and in 1900 became the church of Sekiguchi parish. In 1920 became the Cathedral Church of the Archbishop of Tokyo.
In the beginning it had a tatami floor, but in the late twenties the center was filled by chairs. At that time people used to take off their shoes entering the church.

   In 1911 the grotto of Lourdes was built by French Missionary, Fr. Demanger.

   Having being destroyed completely during World War II, the church has to be rebuilt, and the Diocese of Koln (Germany) gave its help for the reconstruction. The planning by Architect Tange Kenzo started in 1960, and the new Cathedral was inaugurated in December 1964. 8 hyperbolic faces almost vertical, make up a big structure in the shape of a cross. It became famous to the world as a unique church construction, and among the visitors, many comes from abroad. It is 39.4 meters tall and made with steel concrete covered by stainless steel.