Cathedral of Christ the King, Hamilton (must see)

The Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese and one of Canada’s largest churches. Built from 1930 to 1933 during the Great Depression under Bishop John Thomas McNally, it provided jobs for local workers despite criticism at the time. In February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI granted it Minor Basilica status, an honour held by fewer than 30 churches in Canada.

Designed by William Russell Souter of Hutton and Souter, the cathedral follows the 13th century English Gothic style. Pointed arches, tall windows, and strong vertical lines define the structure. Its most prominent feature is the 165 foot bell tower, which houses a carillon of 23 bells. The pale limestone used here also appears in other major projects by the Pigott company, contributing to a shared stone character in the surrounding area.

Inside, the nave rises beneath a high vaulted ceiling inspired by Norwich Cathedral in England. Indiana limestone columns support the space, and 82 stained glass windows by Mayer of Munich bring shifting colour, with lower panels showing the life of Christ and upper clerestory windows depicting the spread of the Church. Above the altar stands an 88 ton marble ciborium, a free standing canopy that adds a Roman element to the Gothic design.

In 1981, on the first Friday of Lent, an arson fire caused serious damage to the interior, including parts of the sanctuary. Restoration was able to closely match the original work because the architectural drawings from Hutton and Souter had been preserved. Craftsmen used the original plans to carefully rebuild the damaged stone and woodwork. A Casavant Frères pipe organ with nearly 5,000 pipes supports both liturgies and concerts.