Christ Church Cathedral: An Open Door, Open Heart, Open Mind

Nestled on the north-east corner of Georgia and Burrard Streets,  dwarfed beside the surrounding glass sky-scrapers, is one of Vancouver’s most charming heritage buildings:  The Christ Church Cathedral.  This stone-built Gothic Revival church was built in 1889 on property purchased from Canadian Pacific Railway.  It was originally nicknamed “The Root House” because at first only the lower part of the church was built and services were held in it.  But on July 28, 1894 the corner stone was laid and the church building dedicated  on Feb. 17,1895.   The Cathedral is in the Diocese of New Westminster in the Anglican Church of Canada.  The Very Rev. Peter Elliott is dean and rector.

Christ Church Cathedral hand parish has been the location of amany significant events in Vancouver’s past including the funerals of Canadian poet, Pauline johnson and H.R. Mc Millan.  It has also been visited by royalty.

The original church had ceiling beams of douglas fir, arches and stained glass windows, a wonderful combination of old world design and new world materials.  Restoration of the  present chruch began in 1995.  The interior was restored and a custom built tracker pipe organ installed.  The Church was closed from April 2003 to April 2004 to complete the restoration.

The cedar ceiling has been rejuvenated and douglas fir flooring installed, hand built by skilled craftspeople many of whom were experts in shipbuilding trades.  The glorious pipe organ sits on a new floating glallery that soars dramatically to the apex of the ceiling dominating the south end of the church.  There are chancel alcoves, galleries, wheelchair ramps and state of the art sound, light and temperature systems.  The Cathedral has 32 beautiful stained glass memorial windows from England and Canada.

Christ Church Cathedral opens its doors to the community offering not only the  Sunday services but a great many other programs including a wide rang eof educational programs and music events.

This past weekend I attended a beautiful concert there, part of their Performance series with the Somos Collective presenting music of South America and Cuba.  Throughout November and December there will be other music programs.

November 11, 7.30 The Chor Leoni performs at a Remembrance Day concert titled “Stolen Voices”

November 15, 10.30  The service includes music by the Good Noice Gospel Choir

November 29, 4 pm  Advent Lessons and Carols with the Christ Church choir.

December 1, 7.30  World Aids Day Concert

December 20, 4 pm  Nine Lessons and Carols, with the Christ Church Choir

PHOTOS by W. Ruth Kozak