Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, Cathedral in Downtown Montreal, Canada.
Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral is a cathedral in Ville-Marie in Montreal and ranks among the three largest churches in the province of Quebec. The limestone building extends 333 feet (101 m) in length and 156 feet (47 m) in width, crowned by a copper dome reaching 252 feet (77 m) high.
After the old Saint-Jacques Cathedral burned down in 1852, construction of this new church began in 1875 following a design by Victor Bourgeau. The architect modeled it on the Rome basilica and created one of the first replicas of that famous building in North America.
The thirteen statues on the roof show patron saints of Montreal parishes and stand for the religious past of the city. Each figure connects to a specific neighborhood and recalls the believers who once gathered here.
Masses take place daily at 7:30 AM, 12:10 PM, and 5:00 PM, with an additional English service on Sundays at 8:00 AM. Visitors can explore the interior outside of service times, though quiet conversation and respectful behavior are expected.
Beneath the dome rises a neo-baroque ciborium made of red copper with gold leaf, replicating the baldachin from the Rome basilica. This work from the late 19th century surprises with its rich decoration and the craftsmanship precision with which it echoes the Italian original.
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