Christ Church Cathedral (Vancouver) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church Cathedral (Vancouver) |
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Christ Church Cathedral in Downtown Vancouver
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| 49°17′03″N 123°07′13″W / 49.28417°N 123.12028°W | |
| Location | 690 Burrard Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2L1 |
| Denomination | Anglican Church of Canada |
| Churchmanship | Broad church |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Burrard |
| Diocese | New Westminster |
| Province | British Columbia and Yukon |
Christ Church Cathedral is a famous church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's the main church for the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, which is part of the Anglican Church of Canada. This beautiful cathedral is located right in Downtown Vancouver, across from the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. It's a special place for many people in the city.
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History of the Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral started as a "daughter church" of St. James' Anglican Church. The very first service was held on December 23, 1888, even before the church building was finished. A group was formed to raise money for the new church. They bought land from the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), with help from Henry John Cambie, a key engineer for the CPR.
Building the Church
By October 1889, the church's basement was built. The first service in the new basement was held for 52 people. But the building wasn't finished, and by 1891, the CPR thought it looked like an "eyesore." People worried they might lose their land because they didn't have enough money to finish the church.
Finally, a plan was made to get the money needed. The cornerstone was laid on July 28, 1894. The church was officially opened on February 17, 1895. It was built in the Gothic style, which means it has tall arches and detailed designs. The ceiling was made of cedar wood, and the beams and floor were made from strong Douglas fir trees.
Changes Over Time
The church grew and changed over the years. In 1909, the first expansion was completed. By 1911, the original organ, which needed a person to pump air into it, was replaced with a new one from Wurlitzer. In 1920, electric lights replaced candles. The lanterns you see in the church today were put in place in 1930.
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In 1929, Christ Church became the main cathedral for the diocese. This meant it took over from Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Westminster.
The church had plans for a bell tower for a long time. However, in 1943, city rules changed, limiting church bells. But in November 2016, a new bell tower was finally opened! Its four bells ring every day at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and before church services.
In 1949, a new Casavant organ was installed. It was partly made from old war parts and pieces of the Wurlitzer organ. In 2004, a brand new Kenneth Jones tracker organ was put in. This organ has 2500 pipes, with 1700 of them saved from the old Casavant organ. It was built to sound amazing in the cathedral.
Saving the Cathedral
In 1971, some people wanted to tear down the church and build a tall tower instead. But many people in the public disagreed. After a lot of effort, the cathedral was officially named a "Class A Heritage building" in 1976. This meant it was protected and couldn't be torn down. Starting in 1995, a big eleven-year project began to restore and renew the building.
Christ Church Cathedral is also the Regimental Church of the Seaforth Highlanders. It is also becoming the Regimental Church of the BC Regiment, Duke of Connaught's Own.
Worship and Services
At Christ Church Cathedral, services are held using different prayer books, like the Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Alternative Services. They have simple services where prayers are spoken, and also bigger services with singing, hymns, and instrumental music. The music played during services can be very old, like plainsong, or more modern, including world music. Rupert Lang, a musician at the cathedral, writes many sacred songs that are often performed there for the first time.
The church leaders take turns giving sermons during services. Sometimes, special guest speakers are invited throughout the year. Famous guests have included a former Archbishop of Canterbury and the well-known environmental scientist David Suzuki. The royal family also attends services here when they visit Vancouver.
In May 2014, the cathedral started a new community called St. Brigid's. This group explores new ways of practicing faith within the Anglican tradition.
Deans of New Westminster
A "Dean" is a very important leader in a cathedral. The Dean of New Westminster used to be at Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Westminster. But in 1929, this role moved to Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver.
Here is a list of the Deans of New Westminster since 1929:
- Robert John Renison, 1927–1931
- Ramsay Armitage, 1936–1940
- Cecil Beresford Swanson, 1940–1953
- Northcote Richard Burke, 1953–1968
- Thomas Herbert O'Driscoll, 1968–1982
- James David Cruickshank, 1983–1993
- Michael Ingham, 1993–1994
- Peter Elliott, 1994–2019
- Christopher Pappas, 2020–present
Symbols of the Cathedral
The cathedral has special symbols that tell a story.
The Celtic Cross
You can see the Celtic cross both inside and outside the cathedral. This cross represents the history of the Anglican Church in the British Isles.
First Peoples' Symbols
The spindle whorl and three salmon, designed in the style of the Coast Salish Nation, honor the First People of Canada. These symbols remind us of the original inhabitants of the west coast.
Christ the King
In the center of some designs, you'll see the Greek letters Chi (X) and Rho (P). These are the first two letters of "Christus Rex," which means "Christ the King."
The Cathedral's Motto
The motto of the cathedral is "I hold before you an open door." This comes from a Bible verse (Revelation 3:8). It was also the title of the very first sermon preached in the cathedral on December 23, 1888.
See also
