Precious Blood Cathedral, cathédrale de l'Ontario
Precious Blood Cathedral is a church building in Sault Ste. Marie constructed from local red and grey sandstone with a commanding tower topped by corner spires. The structure showcases Gothic Revival design with tall narrow lancet windows and a cross-shaped floor plan created by the addition of transepts in 1901.
The building was constructed in 1876, replacing an earlier wooden mission chapel built by Jesuits in 1846. In 1904 it became the cathedral for the newly established Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie and was renamed in 1936 to its current designation.
The cathedral was originally named after an earlier mission chapel and has carried its current name since 1936, reflecting Catholic devotion to this central figure. A marble statue erected in 1925 stands in front of the building, honoring Jesuit missionaries who brought the Catholic faith to the region.
The building sits on Queen Street East and is visible from a distance thanks to its prominent tower. Access to the forecourt is open, allowing visitors to view the exterior architecture and the statue without restriction.
The sandstone used for the cathedral came from nearby excavations of the ship canal, making the building a direct result of the town's early development. The rough, unfinished stone surface preserves the appearance of a remote settlement from the time of its construction.
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