| Architect: John Charles Malcolm Keith of Victoria,
B.C. (also designed Cathedral Church of Christ in
Victoria).
Contractor:
Alberta Building Company
Original
cost: $35,000
Original
owner: Anglican
Diocese of Calgary
Construction materials: rough cut Paskapoo sandstone.
One of the earliest extant tin roofs in Calgary.
Architectural style:
Gothic Revival (Gothic characteristics on corners and
side, modified tri-windows).
Original interior
details:
Cruciform plan. Pine ceiling. Original structure 145 feet
long and 70 feet wide, height from floor to ceiling in
the nave, 45 feet. Carved oak altar was the work of
Cushing Brothers from a design by the late Bishop Hale of
Cairo, United States. The columns which marked the panel
were an exact reproduction of a pillar in Westminster
Abbey in London, England. Exquisite stain glass windows
from McCausland of Toronto - the same company which
supplied the windows for the Lougheed House (Beaulieu) in
1891.
Alterations: 1936 - Lady
Chapel constructed adjoining the main church at the right
of the chancel. A gift of Henry and Eleanor Tompkins. In
its tower hangs a bell dedicated to Corporal W.H.T. Lowry
who had died at the battle of Cut Knife Creek during the
Riel Rebellion. This bell originally hung in the tower of
the first wooden church.
1952 - wood panelling
placed along the lower walls and pilars of the church and
the doors were remodelled.
1970 - interior and
exterior renovation. Extensive landscaping and
development of park area.
1972 - glassed-in lobby
and meeting room built at the back of the church
Historical highlights:
- the first Anglican
church in Calgary was a wooden structure located
to the east of the present day Cathedral. This
building was torn down in 1907 to make way for a
parish hall (Paget Hall) built in 1911 for
$22,000. Paget Hall was torn down in the 1970s.
- November 1902 the
church bought four lots from Dr. N.J. Lindsay for
$3,000 and in the architect was hired in 1903.
- the congregation
raised $18,000 and excavation began August 1904.
By May 1910 the entire amount of $35,000 had been
paid.
- the
Governor-General of Canada, the Earl of Minto,
laid the cornerstone on Tuesday September 13,
1904. The Bishop of Calgary officiated. Rev. J.W.
Tims, who had conducted the first Anglican
service at the barracks (Fort Calgary) in
November 1883 also attended. A crowd of 2,000
people gathered to watch, "many standing on
piles of lumber which were lying around and on
the scaffolding for a better view." On the
arrival of the official party the fire brigade
band played. The Governor-General then proceeded
to 17th Avenue S.W. and laid the cornerstone for
Western Canada College.
- the first service
was held at the new church July 30, 1905. Bishop
Pinkham and Bishop.
- 1919 - elaborately
carved wooden rood screen (separating the nave
and choir) was constructed across the front of
the sanctuary in memory of the men who died in
the first World War. The September 14th
dedication was attended by the visiting Prince of
Wales.
- Morrison of Iowa
assisted Dean Paget.
- 1949 the
Pro-Cathedral is officially declared a Cathedral.
- members of the
congregation have included many well-known
Calgarians; Prime Minister R.B. Bennett, William
Pearce (pioneer of irrigation), William Roper
Hull, Senator Patrick Burns and Colonel Macleod's
grandaughter, Mary Dover.
- in 1953 a stained
glass window depicting St. Luke the Physician was
dedicated in memory of Walter Beaver-Jones who
died in 1916, a well-known Calgarian and member
of the Herald editorial staff for 17 years. Mr.
Beaver-Jones widow, Mrs. Ho Lem made the
presentation in the Lady Chapel on the south side
of the church.
- in 1973 the
Cathedral was one of the first three registered
historic sites in the province and was officially
designated as an Historic Resource in 1977.
|
Cathedral Church 