Cathedral Church of the Redeemer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Church of the Redeemer |
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Southeast view of the cathedral
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| Location | 604 1st Street SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 5H8 |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 1884 |
| Dedication | 1905 |
| Dedicated | September 8, 1904 |
| Consecrated | July 30, 1905 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Norman-Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 145 feet long |
| Width | 70 feet wide |
| Height | 45 feet high |
| Materials | sandstone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Anglican Diocese of Calgary |
The Cathedral Church of the Redeemer is an important Anglican church located in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It serves as the main church for the Anglican Diocese of Calgary. A diocese is a large area with many churches that are all part of the same group.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
The story of this church begins with a simple wooden building. This first church was built just east of where the cathedral stands today. It opened on August 3, 1884, and was the very first Anglican church in the area.
A few years later, in 1889, the church was given a special title: pro-cathedral. This meant it was a temporary cathedral until a bigger, more permanent one could be built.
Building a Stone Cathedral
In 1905, during a time when Calgary was famous for its beautiful sandstone buildings, the parish decided to build a new church. This new building was made from a type of local sandstone called Paskapoo sandstone. It was designed by an architect from Victoria, J. C. M. Keith.
The first cornerstone was laid on September 8, 1904, by the Earl of Minto, who was the Governor General of Canada at the time. The new church was finished and opened for services on July 30, 1905.
Becoming a Full Cathedral
For many years, people thought a much larger cathedral, like the grand ones in Europe, would be built in Calgary. But by 1949, it became clear this wasn't going to happen. So, the Church of the Redeemer was officially named the city's full cathedral.
Because of its historical importance, the building was named a Registered Heritage Site in 1974. This means it is protected by the government so it can be preserved for future generations.
Architecture and Features
The cathedral is an impressive building. It is 145 feet long, 70 feet wide, and the ceiling inside is 45 feet high. The roof is made of tin and is one of the oldest of its kind in Calgary.
In 1936, a small chapel called the Lady Chapel was added to the cathedral. Inside the cathedral's tower, there is a special bell. This bell originally hung in the first wooden church. It was donated in memory of Corporal Lowry, a member of the North-West Mounted Police who died during the North-West Rebellion in 1885.
See also
- Dean of Calgary
- List of cathedrals in Canada
