The Very Reverend Michael J. Pitts

Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal does not possess the antiquity or splendour of the great European Cathedrals like Chartres, Reims, Köln, Durham or Salisbury. In fact, completed in 1859, it is really a very modern building.

But, in North American terms, it is quite old. It was built just as the gothic revival in church architecture was taking hold in England and so it is quite a gem of the neo-gothic style. With the exterior recently restored, its place in the urban landscape is highlighted by the double-coded postmodern-gothic office tower to the north. Just over twenty years ago the original clay beneath the foundations was replaced by pillars, which allowed the construction of part of Montreal's underground city beneath it, and so each year many tourists pass by to see the Cathedral and to hear the story from their guides about the engineering miracle, which now supports us, not only physically but also financially, for a large proportion of our income is derived from the lease of our land for ninety-nine years.

Some of the tourists and visitors, especially those on their own, venture inside. The Cathedral is open each day, and during the summer period, whenever possible, members of the Cathedral and of other parishes of the Diocese are there to greet them. If you are reading this message in preparation for a visit to Montreal, I do hope you will pay us a visit. We worship three times each day, and there are recitals and concerts two or three times a week. You can find details by following the links on this page. The rest of the time we are just open for a visit, for a time of quiet, or for personal prayer.

I would like to mention an opportunity of which some have started to avail themselves. While the architecture and technology of the cathedral are interesting, much more important is our spiritual life, our liturgy in which week by week and day by day we act out the message of the Gospel and the story of Christian faith, and the involvement of our community in the life of society. So we offer the possibility of liturgical tourism to groups who wish. This includes taking part in one of our services, together with a seminar, usually by myself, before or afterwards, about the life and mission of the cathedral. The opportunity is for all young and old, and the seminar is geared to the needs and interests of each group. If you would like to take part in such a visit, please e-mail me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Have a good summer, 

Michael J. Pitts.