Christ's Church Cathedral (Hamilton, Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ's Church Cathedral |
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| 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 building in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is a special kind of church called a cathedral 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 several times.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
How Christ's Church Started
The church community was first started in 1835. This was done by John Geddes, who was the Dean of Niagara at the time. The main building we see today 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 space for a new, bigger cathedral building. The new building was officially opened in 1876. At this time, it was given the special title of a cathedral.
Building Design and Style
From Wood to Stone
The church building started out very differently. It was first made of wood and covered in stucco. Its style was called Palladian-Baroque, designed by Robert Charles Wetherall. Over time, it was slowly changed into a stone building. The new style was called Decorated Gothic.
Adding New Parts
In 1848, William Thomas designed new parts for the church. His design added a chancel (the area around the altar) and the first two sections of the nave (the main part of the church where people sit). This mix of old and new parts made the church look a bit unusual. People even called it "the humpback church."
Completing the Stone Church
The stone Gothic nave was finished in 1876. This part was designed by Henry Langley. He was an architect who designed about 70 churches in Ontario! The original wooden part of the church was removed in 1872 to make room for these new stone sections. Later, in 1924–25, the chancel was made even longer.
Interestingly, the architect William Thomas was not happy with how his design was used. So, he took his plans to the Presbyterians. They then built St Paul's Church using Thomas's original design for Christ's Church. That church is still standing today.
Special Features
Christ's Church Cathedral has beautiful details. It has fancy carved doors at the west entrance. Inside, you can see amazing stained glass windows. These windows let colorful light shine into the church.
Music and Arts at the Cathedral
A Place for Creativity
The cathedral is a very important place for music and art in Hamilton. Many concerts, recitals, and recordings happen here. It's a lively spot for creative events.
Gallery 252
The cathedral has a special art space called Gallery 252. This gallery is run by the church's arts committee. Every month, they show different kinds of art. You can see paintings, drawings, photos, and even needlework. This helps new artists show their work to the public.
New Harbours Music Series
Since 2008, the cathedral has hosted the New Harbours Music Series. These are free concerts for everyone to enjoy. They happen during the monthly "art crawl" on James Street. Many different musicians have performed here.
See also
- Dean of Niagara
