St. James Cathedral (Toronto)

St. James Cathedral (Toronto)
Name	St. James Cathedral
Caption	St. James Cathedral from Church Street
Denomination	Anglican Church of Canada
Diocese	Diocese of Toronto
Deanery	St. James Deanery
Rector	The Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Vail
Location	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates	43, 39, 03, N...
Architect	Frederick William Cumberland
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	1850
Completed	1853
Spire height	305 ft
Bells	12 (change ringing peal)
Parish	Parish of St. James
Website	https://www.stjamescathedral.ca/

St. James Cathedral (Toronto) is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Toronto and the oldest congregation in the Anglican Church of Canada. Located at the corner of King Street and Church Street in Downtown Toronto, its iconic spire is a prominent landmark on the city's skyline. The cathedral serves as the principal church of the Anglican bishop of Toronto and is a designated National Historic Site of Canada.

History

The parish traces its origins to the first Anglican services held in the Town of York in 1797. The first wooden church was built on the present site in 1807, which was replaced by a larger brick structure in 1818. This second church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1849. Under the leadership of John Strachan, the first Bishop of Toronto, the current cathedral was constructed. Designed by architect Frederick William Cumberland, the building was consecrated in 1853. The cathedral has undergone several significant restorations, including major work after a fire in 1939 and a comprehensive restoration completed in 2013.

Architecture

The cathedral is a premier example of Mid-Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in Canada. Its most distinctive feature is its 92.7-meter stone spire, the tallest church spire in Canada. The interior features a hammerbeam roof, a chancel with intricate mosaics, and a large rose window above the west door. Notable elements include the reredos designed by Frank Darling and stained glass windows by artists such as Robert McCausland Limited. The building's design was influenced by the work of Augustus Pugin and English parish church models.

Cathedral Close and grounds

The cathedral is set within a landscaped close, a rare urban oasis in downtown Toronto. The grounds include the historic St. James Cemetery, the first non-denominational cemetery in the city, located north of the cathedral at Parliament Street and Bloor Street. The close also contains the Deanery, the former St. James' School, and memorial gardens. The St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood surrounds the property, and the site is adjacent to the St. Lawrence Hall national historic site.

Worship and music

St. James Cathedral maintains a tradition of liturgical worship with daily services, including Choral Evensong. The music program is renowned, led by a professional choir of vicars choral and choristers. The cathedral houses a large pipe organ built by the Warren and Casavant Frères firms. It hosts regular concerts and is a venue for the Toronto International Festival of Authors and other cultural events. The repertoire spans from Renaissance music to contemporary compositions.

Role in the community

The cathedral has long played a central role in the civic and social life of Toronto. It has been the site for state funerals, including those for Jack Layton and John Robarts, and memorials for events like the Air India Flight 182 disaster. Its Out of the Cold program provides essential services to the homeless population. The cathedral actively engages in social justice advocacy, interfaith dialogue with groups like the Toronto Board of Rabbis, and hosts public lectures and community gatherings.

Rectors and notable clergy

The spiritual leadership has included many significant figures in Canadian Anglicanism. The first rector was John Strachan, who later became the first Bishop of Toronto. Other notable rectors and deans include Henry John Cody, a long-serving rector and president of the University of Toronto; Derwyn Trevor Owen, who became Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; and Douglas Stoute. The current rector is Stephen Vail, who also serves as the Dean of Toronto.

Category:Anglican cathedrals in Canada Category:Churches in Toronto Category:Gothic Revival church buildings in Canada Category:National Historic Sites in Toronto