Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver

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The many stained glass windows in the Christ Church Cathedral in Downtown Vancouver are beautiful representations of biblical tales.

Amongst the tall skyscrapers in the heart of Vancouver's Downtown, the Christ Church Cathedral is a stark contrast to the infrastructure surrounding it. The Cathedral was the first Church in the Vancouver region, organized in a cellar before enough money was raised to build a permanent structure. Open to the public, the church is a peaceful and surprising sanctuary in the middle of the city with a large mass area and intricate stained glass windows - the site's biggest draw - as well as items from the wars commemorating those who served. The Christ Church Cathedral is a great place to visit and see the beautiful early architecture of Vancouver as well as offering a quiet place to reflect.

Holding the distinction as the first church in Vancouver, Christ Church Cathedral is located in the midst of the busy downtown core.

Adorned with thirty-two of the most elaborate, beautiful and colourful stained glass windows in the province, the Cathedral also has the distinction as being the church of preference for visiting royals to British Columbia.

As of 1925, it became the cathedral of the Diocese of New Westminster in the Anglican Church of Canada, held previously by a church in the city of New Westminster.

Christ Cathedral is the oldest Church in Vancouver, built in 1889 from land purchased from the Canadian Pacific Railway, it first consisted of lower levels nicknamed the 'Root House' where services were held until funding was raised to build the top level in 1894 which was completed and dedicated in 1895.

It is built in Gothic Revival style architecture, very similar to European style cathedrals, reminiscent of the countries left behind by many of Vancouver's settlers. With wood beams and stained glass windows, it is a combination of old and new world, with many enhancements over the last few decades to upgrade and expand with the growing population.

Threatened in the 1970s by high rise developments in the downtown core, the Christ Church was designated as a heritage building in 1976 ensuring its survival in its changing surroundings.

It has been the location of many important events such as the funerals of several prominent Canadians and was the church of worship when Queen Elizabeth, Price Charles, Princess Diana and their two sons visited in 1986.