St. George's Cathedral (Kingston, Ontario) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids The Cathedral Church of Saint George
St. George's Cathedral
44°13′46″N 76°28′59″W / 44.22944°N 76.48306°W / 44.22944; -76.48306
Location	270 King Street East Kingston, Ontario
Country	Canada
Denomination	Anglican Church of Canada
Website	stgeorgescathedral.ca
History
Status	Cathedral
Founded	1792 (1792)
Founder(s)	John Stuart
Dedication	St. George
Consecrated	1828
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Thomas Rogers
Style	Georgian & Neoclassical
Groundbreaking	1825
Administration
Parish	St. George
Diocese	Ontario
Province	Canada

St. George's Cathedral is a famous church located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It is the main church for the Anglican Diocese of Ontario. This beautiful building has a long history and is an important part of the community.

The History of St. George's Cathedral
Worship Services at the Cathedral
Connection with the Royal Military College
Important Burials
Gallery
See also

The History of St. George's Cathedral

John Stuart was the first leader of the church.

The very first St. George's church was a wooden building. It was built in 1792 and was the first church in the Kingston area. This original church was located across from what is now Kingston Market Square. John Stuart was the first leader, or Rector, of this church.

The church building you see today was built in a different spot. Construction took place between 1825 and 1828. An architect named William Coverdale made the church bigger from 1838 to 1840. He added a new steeple and a grand entrance called a Doric portico in 1842.

In 1862, the church became a "cathedral." This means it became the main church for the area's Anglican diocese. More parts were added between 1891 and 1894, like the transepts (side sections), choir area, and a dome. Sadly, in 1899, a fire badly damaged the inside of the church. Architects S. George Curry and Joseph Power worked to completely fix it between 1899 and 1900.

Worship Services at the Cathedral

The Cathedral is a place where people gather for worship. The current leader of the Cathedral is The Very Rev. Douglas Michael. He has been the Dean of Ontario and Rector of Kingston since 2022. Brad Barbeau is the Director of Music, starting in 2020. The Bishop of Ontario is the Right Rev. William Grant Cliff, who began in 2023.

The Cathedral holds services every Sunday. There is an 8:00 AM service called Holy Eucharist. A larger service, Choral Eucharist, takes place at 10:30 AM. Special evening services called Choral Evensong are held on the first and third Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. You can find more information about other weekday services on the Cathedral's website.

Connection with the Royal Military College

For many years, students from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) have marched to St. George's Cathedral for special events. One tradition was called 'Copper Sunday.' This annual parade, which started in 1882 or earlier, involved cadets collecting copper coins for the church.

Before 1899, a special plaque was put up to remember three RMC officers. These officers, Huntly Brodie Mackay, William Henry Robinson, and William Grant Stairs, died while serving in Africa. Unfortunately, this memorial was lost in the 1899 fire and was not replaced.

In 1918, the Royal Military College's Great War Memorial Flag was given to the Cathedral. This huge flag, measuring 18 by 24 feet, hung in the church until 1934. It was then moved to the college museum to keep it safe. The flag has 932 maple leaves, representing graduates who served in the Great War. It also has 147 crimson leaves, honoring those who died.

The King's Colour of the Royal Military College of Canada was placed in the cathedral in 1942.

In 1942, during a church parade, General Hertzberg asked to place the RMC colours (special flags) in the Cathedral. After a speech by the Lord Bishop of Ontario, the cadets marched back to their college.

The Cathedral has a special gallery dedicated to the Royal Military College. It features stained glass windows showing soldier saints, including St. George. The newest windows in this gallery, the St. Cecilia window and the St. Margaret window, were put in place in 2002 and 2003.

Important Burials

One notable person buried at St. George's Cathedral is Charles Poulett Thomson, 1st Baron Sydenham. He was the Governor General of the United Province of Canada from 1839 to 1841. A Governor General is a representative of the monarch in a country.