Christ's Church Cathedral (Hamilton, Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ's Church Cathedral |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 43°15′47″N 79°51′58″W / 43.26306°N 79.86611°W | |
| Location | 252 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario |
| Denomination | Anglican Church of Canada |
| Website | cathedralhamilton.ca |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 1835 |
| Dedication | Christ |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Henry Langley |
| Style | English Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1852 |
| Completed | 1873 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Christ Church |
| Diocese | Niagara |
| Province | Ontario |
Christ's Church Cathedral is a beautiful church in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is a special kind of church called a cathedral. This means it is the main church for the Anglican Diocese of Niagara. You can find it at 252 James Street North. The church community started in 1835. The building you see today was built between 1852 and 1873. Since it opened in 1876, the cathedral has been made bigger and updated many times.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
How Christ's Church Began
The church community was started in 1835. It was founded by John Geddes, who was the Dean of Niagara at the time. The current church building was constructed over many years, from 1852 to 1873.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 1872, the front part of the original church was taken down. This made way for a new, grander cathedral building. The new building was officially opened in 1876. At this time, it was given the special title of "cathedral."
Design and Architecture
From Wood to Stone
The first church building was made of wood and covered in stucco. It had a style called Palladian-Baroque. This was designed by Robert Charles Wetherall. Over time, it was slowly changed into a stone building in the Decorated Gothic style.
In 1848, William Thomas designed some new parts. His design included the chancel (the area around the altar) and the first two sections of the nave (the main part of the church). These were added to the existing wooden church. People sometimes called this mix of styles "the humpback church."
Completing the Gothic Look
In 1872, the old wooden part of the church was removed. This allowed for more updates. The stone Gothic nave was finished in 1876. This part was designed by Henry Langley. He was a famous architect who designed about 70 churches in Ontario. The chancel was also made longer between 1924 and 1925.
Interestingly, William Thomas, who designed parts of Christ's Church earlier, was not happy with how his design was used. So, he took his plans to the Presbyterians. They used his design to build St Paul's Church, which is still standing today.
Christ's Church Cathedral has amazing details. It features beautifully carved west doors. Inside, you can see wonderful stained-glass windows that let colorful light into the church.
Music and Arts at the Cathedral
A Place for Creativity
The cathedral is a very important place for arts and music in Hamilton. Many concerts, recitals, and recordings happen here. It has a special area called Gallery 252. This gallery is run by the cathedral's arts committee.
Showcasing Local Artists
Gallery 252 holds new art shows every month. These shows feature different types of art, like oil paintings, pastels, drawings, photography, and silk screening. It's a great way to show the public new artists who are not yet well-known.
Free Concerts and Events
Since 2008, the cathedral has hosted the New Harbours Music Series. These are free public concerts that happen during the monthly art crawl on James Street. Many different musicians and artists have performed here. Some of the past performers include Polmo Polpo, Orphx, Michael Snow, and Jeremy Greenspan.
See also
- Dean of Niagara
