Holy Rosary Cathedral (Regina, Saskatchewan)
| Holy Rosary Cathedral | |
|---|---|
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Holy Rosary Cathedral in 2008 | |
| 50°26′42″N 104°37′35″W / 50.445028°N 104.626426°WCoordinates: 50°26′42″N 104°37′35″W / 50.445028°N 104.626426°W | |
| Location | Regina, Saskatchewan |
| Country | Canada |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Holy Rosary Cathedral |
| History | |
| Authorising papal bull | 1910 |
| Founded | November 11, 1911 |
| Consecrated | June 29, 1913 |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Regina Heritage Holding Bylaw List |
| Designated | 1989 |
| Architect(s) | Joseph Fortin |
| Style | Romanesque Revival |
| Groundbreaking | Dec. 8, 1912 |
| Completed | 1917 |
| Construction cost | $135,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 200 feet (61 m) |
| Height | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Most Reverend Daniel J. Bohan |
| Rector | Reverend Father Lorne Crozon, Vicor General |
Holy Rosary Cathedral at 13th Avenue and Garnet Street in Regina, Saskatchewan, is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina.
Construction began in 1912; the cornerstone was blessed (see photo) by the Apostolic Delegate. the Ambassador of the Holy See, on 30 June 1913 before some 2000 people and the building was completed in 1917.[1][2]
It was designed in the Romanesque Revival style by the firm of Joseph Fortin of Montreal, who also designed the Roman Catholic cathedrals of St. Paul's in Saskatoon and Our Lady of Assumption in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan.[3] Modelled after churches in northern France; it was built by Smith Brothers & Wilson at a cost of $135,000.[2]
Redecorations
The interior of the church has been extensively redecorated five times:
- 1928
- 1951 - 43 stained glass windows by André Rault were installed[2]
- 1968 - a more fundamental renovation to conform with the directives of the Second Vatican Council, when the high altar at the east end of the choir was dismantled and a nave altar installed at the crossing, the choir being converted into a chapel
- 1976 - after a disastrous fire. During the months following the 1976 fire the Cathedral was unusable and masses were held in the neighbouring Westminster United Church.
- 1992 - the opaque screen separating the nave from the choir was removed and the main altar restored to a position in the choir closer to the site of the original high altar in the former sanctuary
The light and airy interior of the cathedral is decorated sparingly in keeping with Canadian aesthetic sensibilities. The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at Holy Rosary Cathedral.[4]
Organs
The McGuigan Organ in the gallery was originally built in 1930, replacing a large reed organ, extensively repaired after the 1976 fire, and renovated in 1992–1993 and renamed "The McGuigan Organ" in honour of Sister Marion McGuigan, a much loved local humanitarian and educator. It was built by Casavant Frères of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.[2]
Sacred Heart Academy
Immediately to the west of the Cathedral, across the closed Garnet Street, is the former Sacred Heart Academy building, once a girls' high school operated by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions,[5] who also conducted music tuition for music students from across the city. The Sisters, whose numbers were waning, closed the school in or about 1969.
The building has now been converted to strata title and sold off as townhouses, but the Roman Catholic Archdiocese has retained premises in the building for its synod office.
Notes
- ↑ Adamson, Julia (16 Feb 2013). "Saskatchewan Roman Catholic Churches ~ Online Parish Registers ~ History". Saskatchewan Gen Web. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Holy Rosary Cathedral website". Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ↑ "Regina Heritage Walking Tours" (PDF). City of Regina. 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
- ↑ "Institute for Stained Glass in Canada (Holy Rosary Cathedral)". Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ↑ Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions website dealing with historic and current Canadian mission Retrieved 1 February 2010. The Sisters also operated Marian High School (previously Sacred Heart College)on south Albert Street immediately next to the former Campion College, for boys.