Christ Church Cathedral (Ottawa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa |
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Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa
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| Denomination | Anglican Church of Canada |
| Churchmanship | Broad church |
| Website | ottawacathedral.ca |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Ottawa |
| Province | Ontario |
Christ Church Cathedral is a special Anglican church in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It's called a "cathedral" because it's the main church for the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. You can find it at 414 Sparks Street, in the downtown area. It sits on a high spot looking down towards the Ottawa River.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
How it Started
Back in 1800, a man named Philemon Wright came to Canada from the United States. He traveled up the Ottawa River and found a good place to settle near the Chaudière Falls. This settlement later grew into the city of Gatineau.
Later, in 1824, Nicholas Sparks crossed the river and built a home on the south side. He was the first person to settle in what would become Bytown, and then much later, the city of Ottawa. Two years after that, Colonel John By arrived to build the Rideau Canal. This canal connected the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario.
The First Church Building
In 1824, a minister named Reverend Amos Ansley came to the area. He held church services in a small schoolhouse, but it wasn't big enough. Thanks to Philemon Wright, a small stone church was built and opened in 1826. Reverend Ansley traveled a lot, even by canoe, to serve people in many different towns along the Ottawa River.
In 1828, important church leaders visited Bytown. They noticed that other groups like Presbyterians and Catholics had their own churches, but the Church of England followers did not. Colonel By and others talked about needing a place for the many Protestants in Bytown to worship.
In 1832, Nicholas Sparks generously donated land for a church. He had also given land for other churches in the area. The plan was to build a church with a tower.
The Old Christ Church
The church group officially started in 1833. The first service in Christ Church Bytown happened on July 21, 1833. For a while, people sat on rough wooden planks instead of proper pews. The church was even too cold to use in winter because they didn't have enough heaters.
By 1841, Bytown was growing fast, and the church was too small. Nicholas Sparks gave more land for the church to be made bigger. The expanded church was finished in October 1843 and was named Christ's Church. Over the next 25 years, people tried to build an even bigger church. In 1865, a rectory (a house for the minister) was built next to the church.
Building the New Church
In January 1872, everyone decided to build a brand new church on the same spot. The last service in the old church was on March 3, 1872. Then, they started tearing it down and rebuilding right away.
The new Christ Church Cathedral was designed in an English Gothic style. The first stone was laid on July 3, 1872, with a time capsule inside! The building officially opened on September 29, 1873. The beautiful East Window inside is dedicated to the Sparks Family, who helped so much.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 1896, the Diocese of Ottawa was created. A "diocese" is an area managed by a bishop. In 1897, Christ Church was officially announced as the cathedral for this new diocese. This means it became the main church for the bishop.
Inside the cathedral, you can find many plaques and memorials. These remember people who served their country, especially during wars like the Great War (World War I) and World War II. For example, there's a memorial for members of the 77th Overseas Battalion.
In 1931, they decided to make the front part of the church, called the "chancel," much bigger. This work was finished in 1932, marking 100 years since the first church was started in Bytown.
Beautiful Stained Glass
The cathedral has amazing stained glass windows. One window remembers Major Robert Donaldson and his family.
Another special window, called the Memorial West Window, was made in 1982. It shows the history of the cathedral, early explorers in Bytown, and even a satellite! The cathedral is often part of "Doors Open Ottawa," an event where people can visit interesting buildings.
Christ Church Today
Today, the Right Reverend Shane A.D. Parker is the Bishop of Ottawa. The Very Reverend Elizabeth J. Bretzlaff is the Dean of Ottawa and the main minister. The cathedral is a busy place with many different activities and groups. It's a place where people can explore their faith in many ways.
The cathedral is also used for important events. These include state funerals for Canadian Prime Ministers and Governors-General. It has also hosted Canadian funeral services for members of the Royal Family, like Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Since the 1970s, the cathedral has also been important for the Anglican Military Ordinariate of Canada. This means it's a special place for Anglican members of the Canadian Forces.
Music at the Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is known for its excellent music. It has a fantastic music program.
The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys is the only all-male choir left in a Canadian Anglican cathedral. They are very talented and have traveled to the UK, France, and the United States to sing in famous cathedrals and churches. The choir has 24 boys (aged 8-15) and 14 professional men.
The Cathedral Girls' Choir is also unique in Canadian Anglican cathedrals. They perform at home and have toured Europe and the United States. This choir has 25 members (aged 8-18) from across the Ottawa area.
In 2018, a third choir was added: a mixed-voice adult group. All the choirs share the singing duties for important services each week.
Many famous church musicians have worked at the cathedral over the years. James Calkin is currently the director of music and organist.
The Organs
In 2009, the cathedral bought a new digital organ called a Rodgers Trillium 958. This was because their older pipe organ needed a lot of repairs. Even though it's a digital organ, it sounds amazing and can play many different types of music. They also have a smaller, portable organ. The cathedral hopes to get a new pipe organ in the future.
Deans of Ottawa
The Dean of Ottawa is also the main minister of Christ Church Cathedral. Here are some of the people who have held this important role:
- c1900: John Strutt Lauder (the first Dean of Ottawa)
- 1932–1938: Edgar Frank Salmon
- 1945–1953: Howard Hewlett Clark
- 1954–1962: John Ogle Anderson
- 1962–1970: Frederick Gartrell
- 1970–1983: Thomas Edward Downey
- 1984–1985: John Baycroft
- 1985-1990: Walter Asbil
- 1990–1999: Peter Coffin
- 1999–2020: Shane A.D. Parker
- 2020–present: Elizabeth J. Bretzlaff
See also
