Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina

The Cathedral Church of Christ, usually called Christ Church Cathedral or simply the Cathedral on the Marina, is the oldest Anglican cathedral in the Church of Nigeria and the seat of the Bishop of Lagos. A church has stood on the site since the 1860s: the foundation stone of the first building was laid in March 1867 and the cathedral was established in 1869. Work on the present building began in November 1924, and on 21 April 1925 the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, laid its foundation stone during his visit to Lagos. It took until 1946 to complete.

The cathedral was designed by Bagan Benjamin in a Norman Gothic style and is one of the best-known historic buildings on the Lagos Island waterfront. Inside, look for the cenotaph to Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first African Anglican bishop. His remains were moved to the cathedral in 1976. Music lovers should know about the organ: originally built by the German firm Oberlinger and later renewed by Harrison and Harrison, it has 64 stops across four manuals and pedals and is described as the largest organ in Nigeria, with an additional section in the loft above the main entrance.

The cathedral has been at the centre of Nigerian public life. General Yakubu Gowon married Victoria Zakari here in 1969, state funerals and memorial services have been held under its roof, and it celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017. It remains a busy working church, so the best way to experience it is to attend a Sunday service, when the choir and organ are heard at full strength.

Visitors interested in architecture, church history or the story of Christianity in West Africa will get the most from a visit. Outside service times, ask at the church office before looking round, dress modestly and keep noise and photography respectful. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Weekday mornings are usually quietest. A guided walk of Lagos Island is a good way to understand the cathedral's place in the city's history.

The cathedral faces the Marina at the western end of Lagos Island, near the Central Business District, and is easiest to reach by car or ride-hailing app. Freedom Park and the Lagos Central Mosque are both close by, and Tafawa Balewa Square and the Onikan museums are a short drive east.