Victoria's Historical Churches Tour (Self Guided), Victoria

Like so many of the world’s cathedrals, this building took a century to construct and is vastly different from the original conception.

This is the third Cathedral Church, the seat of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia, replacing two earlier buildings that stood across the road where the Law Courts building now stands. The old cathedral property was eventually sold to the province for the courthouse, but the Cathedral Close still comprises an entire city block-Quadra, Rockland, Vancouver, Burdett.

The architect Keith himself called the cathedral Gothic Revival, acknowledging a debt to medieval English cathedrals. The style is highly traditional, with the visual emphasis being on the imposing West End, towering over “Church Hill,” intended to be visible for miles. Worshippers enter through six sets of double doors, leading through a vestibule (the narthex) into the vast nave, with a sanctuary at the East end, facing Jerusalem. The nave, as finished, is one of the largest in Canada, at 93’ x 140’. Medieval-style texts are painted on interior walls, and other texts are cast in a ribbon around the top of the walls outside.

Why You Should Visit:
For gothic architecture, this is really a beautiful structure – flying buttresses, beautiful beams, and gorgeous stained glass.
Surrounded by the splendor of well-kept grounds and cemetery. There is even a labyrinth on the side of the building.

Tip:
Ask the stewart on duty for the free self-guided tour pamphlet. If you ask nicely, the stewart will also open the Columbarium for you.
The cathedral is known as a frequent venue for concerts and recitals, so check their schedule.

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8:30am-5:30pm

St. Ann’s Academy was commissioned by the Roman Catholic women’s order of the Sisters of St. Ann of Lachine, Quebec. The chapel was built in 1858 and is the oldest part of the Academy. The chapel was the original St. Andrew's Cathedral. The chapel was later moved from its original location, encased in brick, and became the ’heart’ of the newly built school of St. Ann’s Academy (1871). In 1886 a Convent was added to the west side of the Academy and behind the Academy (1909). St. Ann’s Academy was an all-girls Catholic school and convent.

The Sisters of St. Ann closed the Academy and in 1974 sold the property to the provincial Department of Public Works (now the BC Buildings Corporation), which used it as office space for the public service for a few years, but it was in need of major repairs and had to be closed.

In the end, with the help of the Provincial Capital Commission, most of the building was gutted and rebuilt, basement to attic, and leased to the province as office space for the Ministry of Advanced Education, a use consistent with the Sisters' aims. The building was re-opened in 1997.

Opening hours:

Winter hours: September - Mid-May: Thursday – Sunday: 1 pm - 4 pm;

Summer hours: Mid-May - Labour Day: Monday – Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm

Church Of Our Lord is one of the oldest religious congregations in Victoria. It was established way back in 1874. The church is a beautiful architectural structure of Gothic style and has a great organ. The Church Of Our Lord has been declared a Federal Heritage Building.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was established in 1866 and is located in an impressive building with an amazing tower and huge doors, in Downtown Victoria. The structure was built in the Scottish Baronial style.

St. Andrew's Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral for the diocese of Victoria. Built in the High Victorian Gothic style, St. Andrew's was Victoria's third cathedral to be built. (The first, 1858–1884, is now the Chapel of St. Ann's Academy on Humboldt Street; the second, 1884–1892, was on the site behind the current building now occupied by the St. Andrew's Square office building.)

Construction for the new cathedral began in 1890. At 8:00 am on October 30, 1892, Bishop Lemmens blessed the building before Pontifical High Mass was celebrated at 10:00am. The cathedral has been a National Historic Site of Canada since 1990.

Temple Emanuel is one of the oldest synagogues in Canada. It was established in 1863. The synagogue has a lot of social activities and is also open to tourists. The building was designed by John Wright and is a National Heritage Building.

The First Metropolitan United Church is both a major tourist attraction and a popular congregation among the faithful. The building was constructed in 1915 and came to have its present name after the merger, in 1997, of the Metropolitan United Church and the First United Church. Besides its regular services, the church organizes many interesting activities for locals like seminars, musical and children’s events, social events, etc.