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 View pages for
THE BELL TOWER,
STAINED GLASS,
or PHOTO GALLERY

 

 

 View pages for
THE BELL TOWER,
STAINED GLASS,
or PHOTO GALLERY

 
 
The Cathedral Church of St. James is both a parish church ministering to the historic St Lawrence neighbourhood and a cathedral (the church where the bishop's chair or throne - the "cathedra" - is located), making it the spiritual centre of the diocese and a focal point for the civic life of Toronto, one of Canada's most prominent cultural and financial centres.
A Brief History
  • 1793 - Town of York established, first Anglican service
  • 1797- Congregation worships in government buildings until wooden church built
  • 1807 - First "Church at York" built of wood with the help of the garrison
  • 1813 - Church used as hospital during War of 1812; damaged and robbed by American troops
  • 1818 - Church enlarged and bell tower added. Used as fire bell for the town
  • 1828 - Church dedicated to St. James the Apostle
  • 1833 - Wooden church taken down. Neo-classical stone church built.
  • 1834 - Town of York becomes the City of Toronto
  • 1839 - January: church burns; August: The Rev'd John Strachan consecrated first Bishop of Toronto; December: St. James' church becomes a cathedral
  • 1844 - Sixty-five acres by the Don River purchased for cemetery
  • 1849 - Fire destroys Cathedral
  • 1853 - New Gothic Revival Cathedral opens for services on original site
  • 1865 - Bells installed
  • 1875 - Spire completed
  • 1876 - Clock donated by citizens of Toronto
  • 1889 - Side galleries and aisle benches removed, choir stalls and organ console installed in chancel
  • 1910 - Current Parish House opened
  • 1936 - St. George's Chapel dedicated, organ overhauled by Casavant Freres
  • 1953 - New vestry added, sacristy refitted
  • 1959 - Parish House renovated, Diocesan Centre built
  • 1982 - Major renovation of the Cathedral completed
  • 1997 - Bicentenary celebrated, peal of 12 change-ringing bells installed
  • 1793 - Town of York established, first Anglican service
  • 1797- Congregation worships in government buildings until wooden church built
  • 1807 - First "Church at York" built of wood with the help of the garrison
  • 1813 - Church used as hospital during War of 1812; damaged and robbed by American troops
  • 1818 - Church enlarged and bell tower added. Used as fire bell for the town
  • 1828 - Church dedicated to St. James the Apostle
  • 1833 - Wooden church taken down. Neo-classical stone church built.
  • 1834 - Town of York becomes the City of Toronto
  • 1839 - January: church burns; August: The Rev'd John Strachan consecrated first Bishop of Toronto; December: St. James' church becomes a cathedral
  • 1844 - Sixty-five acres by the Don River purchased for cemetery
  • 1849 - Fire destroys Cathedral
  • 1853 - New Gothic Revival Cathedral opens for services on original site
  • 1865 - Bells installed
  • 1875 - Spire completed
  • 1876 - Clock donated by citizens of Toronto
  • 1889 - Side galleries and aisle benches removed, choir stalls and organ console installed in chancel
  • 1910 - Current Parish House opened
  • 1936 - St. George's Chapel dedicated, organ overhauled by Casavant Freres
  • 1953 - New vestry added, sacristy refitted
  • 1959 - Parish House renovated, Diocesan Centre built
  • 1982 - Major renovation of the Cathedral completed
  • 1997 - Bicentenary celebrated, peal of 12 change-ringing bells installed
 

The Cathedral has been designated as an Ontario Heritage Property by the Ministry of Culture and has also been designated as a heritage site by Heritage Toronto.

 

The Cathedral has been designated as an Ontario Heritage Property by the Ministry of Culture and has also been designated as a heritage site by Heritage Toronto.

 
Distinguished Visitors to the Cathedral
 
 
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about the
 
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To Learn more about the History & Architecture of St. James Cathedral 

Contact
 The Archives & Museum

Phone: (416) 364-7865 x233
 or email

 

To Learn more about the History & Architecture of St. James Cathedral 

Contact
 The Archives & Museum

Phone: (416) 364-7865 x233
 or email