St. Andrew's Cathedral, Roman Catholic cathedral in Victoria, Canada
St. Andrew's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Victoria, British Columbia, with two asymmetrical towers, the taller one reaching about 53 meters (174 feet). The exterior is built from local sandstone, and the interior features stained glass windows that cast colored light across the nave.
The cathedral was completed in 1892 and was designed by French architects Maurice Perrault and Albert Mesnard. It was the third major church building erected in Victoria, replacing earlier and smaller Catholic structures in the city.
The interior displays artworks from Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples, including a carved lectern by artist Roy Henry Vickers and bentwood boxes with seasonal patterns used during church celebrations. These pieces are visible from the entrance and shape the character of the whole interior.
The cathedral is open to visitors and can be explored at your own pace, so it is worth setting aside enough time to take in the stained glass and the Indigenous artworks. Be aware that access for general visitors may be limited during services.
Beneath the main floor of the cathedral lies a crypt where three former Bishops of Victoria are buried, among them Modeste Demers and Charles John Seghers. Most visitors walk through without knowing this burial chamber exists just below their feet.
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