St. Andrew's Cathedral (Victoria, British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Andrew's Cathedral |
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| 48°25′32″N 123°21′46″W / 48.425417°N 123.362861°W | |
| Location | 740 View Street Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1J8 |
| Country | Canada |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | standrewscathedral.com |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Perrault and Messier |
| Architectural type | Maurice Perrault and Albert Mesnard |
| Style | High Victorian Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1890 |
| Completed | 1892 |
| Construction cost | C$81,052 |
| Specifications | |
| Nave width | 22 metres (72 ft) |
| Spire height | 53.4 metres (175 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St. Andrew's Parish |
| Metropolis | Vancouver |
| Diocese | Victoria |
| Province | British Columbia |
St. Andrew's Cathedral is a beautiful Roman Catholic church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It's the main church for the Catholic community in Victoria. This amazing building was designed in a style called High Victorian Gothic. It's actually the third cathedral built for the city of Victoria.
Contents
History of St. Andrew's Cathedral
This cathedral is the third building used by the church community. The first church building was used from 1858 to 1884. Today, it is known as the Chapel of St. Ann's Academy. The second church building was used from 1884 to 1892. It was located behind where the current cathedral stands.
Work on the new, present-day cathedral started in 1890. On October 30, 1892, Bishop Jean-Nicolas Lemmens officially blessed the building. He then led a special church service. St. Andrew's Cathedral has been recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada since 1990. This means it's an important place in Canadian history.
Design and Architecture
The current St. Andrew's Cathedral was designed by architects Maurice Perrault and Albert Mesnard. The total cost to build it was C$81,052. The architects used plans from a church in Quebec as inspiration. They also took many ideas from the medieval architecture of old European churches.
Unique Towers and Spire
The cathedral has two towers that are not the same height. This is a common feature of churches in Quebec. It's also a special part of the High Victorian Gothic style. This design was meant to look like the "unfinished" churches from the 1300s and 1400s. The main tower has a tall spire that is about 53.4 meters (175 feet) high. This spire was planned to hold a clock and a set of bells.
Inside the Cathedral
The main part of the church, called the nave, is 22 meters (72 feet) long. It features a beautiful round window called a rose window. The cathedral is also home to many stunning stained glass windows. There are 21 large windows and two big rose windows, plus a smaller one above the gallery.
Special Altar and Lectern
A special altar was made for the cathedral. It was created for the 25th anniversary of Bishop Remi Joseph De Roo becoming a bishop. The altar was carved by Charles W. Elliott. He was the first Native American to graduate from St. Louis College. The altar is made of two bentwood boxes. These boxes can be turned to show four different designs. Each design is for a different liturgical season. The top of the altar is carved from yellow cedar and weighs about 400 pounds.
The cathedral also has a carved lectern made by artist Roy Henry Vickers. A lectern is a stand where readings are given during church services. This one shows a black and red image of Christ. It represents both Christ's crucifixion and his resurrection.
Crypt: Resting Place of Bishops
The cathedral has a special underground room called a crypt. Three of Victoria's past Bishops are buried there:
- Bishop Modeste Demers, who was the first Bishop of Victoria.
- Charles John Seghers, who was the second and fourth Bishop. He passed away in Alaska.
- Rt. Rev. John J. Jonckau, who was a Vicar General for the Diocese of Victoria. He was named Bishop but passed away before he could be officially consecrated.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Andrés (Victoria) para niños
