The Cathedral on the map

More Montreal Links:
Montréal à la carte (maps)
Montreal plus
Official Portal of la Ville de Montréal

Both in its situation and in its life and teaching the Cathedral tries to represent the faith and tradition of Christianity and Anglicanism, interpreted in and for the modern (and post- modern) world.

An Anglican ministry first began in Montreal in 1760. Up to 1814, the Anglican Christian community met in several chapels of the Roman Catholic Church. The first of these was the former church of the Recollet (Franciscan) Order.

The first church built specifically as Christ Church was opened in 1814. It stood on Notre Dame Street in what is now the Old City of Montreal.

In 1850, when the Diocese of Montreal was separated from that of Quebec, Christ Church was made its cathedral, the seat of the Bishop and the mother church of the new diocese.

Six years later a fire destroyed this building. All that was saved was the painting of the Last Supper, which hung behind the altar. It can now be seen above the Canons' stalls in the present building.

The present Cathedral was completed in 1859. It is an imposing neo-Gothic building, designed by British architect Frank Wills.

In 1987, some older buildings north of the Cathedral were demolished, and the land leased to developers who built the landmark office tower and underground mall known as La Place de La Cathédrale. The Cathedral was also secured to the bedrock below, standing on steel and concrete 'caissons', and the space beneath it now houses a shopping mall and restaurants.

The diocese and Cathedral share office space in the tower, while beneath, the Cathedral benefits from space for its Sunday School, Drop-In centre and music practice rooms. In the mall you will also find the Bible House, which sells Bibles in many languages, and the Diocesan Book Room, which stocks a wide range of theological and spiritual books, as well as tapes, CDs and souvenirs.

A fine tracker-action organ (left), built by Karl Wilhelm in 1980, attracts organists and music lovers frommany places, as does the music programme of the Cathedral. Under Director of Music Patrick Wedd, the Cathedral Choir (Men and Trebles), The Cathedral Singers (mixed adult), the Girls' Choir and the Women's Plainsong Choir provide the Liturgical music for the worship of the Cathedral. Concert series are provided throughout the year.

The Arms of Christ Church Cathedral were granted to it in 1989, though its motto ...

" Christus Vera Vitis "
(Christ the true Vine)

... goes right back to the beginning of the parish. The motto and the design of the Arms, based on the words of Jesus in St John's Gospel, signify that the present day church is part of an historical community which is rooted in Christ through the Eucharist.

Over the past eight years the exterior stone work of the Cathedral has been completely restored, and about half of the stained glass has been rebuilt. The total cost of this work has been more that $2.5 million, but it has been generously supported by the Québec government through the Québec Religious Heritage Foundation, and by the Federal government through infrastructure grants.

It is hoped that during the coming years we can turn our attention to the interior, last re-painted in in 1980, and now looking a little sad.

A feasibility study for this work is now under way. This, together with the remaining stained glass and work to strengthen the steel supports of the tower may cost as much as a further $2 million, If you are able to help us we would be glad to hear from you.

In 2001 the City of Montreal expects to compete a scheme of exterior lighting for the Cathedral, which was a gift for the 150th anniversay of the Diocese the previous year.