About Me

My photo
Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Monday, September 01, 2014

H is for HOLY ROSARY CATHEDRAL

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, commonly known as Holy Rosary Cathedral, is a late 19th-century French Gothic revival church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver.  Not being Catholic, I've never visited the cathedral, but after having researched it for ABC Wednesday, I must make a point of going to see it with my own eyes.  Apparently, the church doors were officially opened on December 8, 1900, and it was officially declared a cathedral in 1916.  These are the dimensions of the building:
  • 161 feet long 104 feet across at the transepts
  • 62 feet across the nave and the aisles
  • 62 feet from the floor ceiling
  • 217 feet to the top of the larger steeple
This is an aerial view of the cathedral and it's really quite something to see in the modern downtown area of Vancouver.
From the front at ground level, this is the view:
Handsome building, eh?  Here are some photos of the aisle, altar and pipe organ.  By the way, all photos are courtesy of Mr. Google.
Like many Gothic cathedrals, stained glass windows are an important feature of Holy Rosary. There are 21 significant windows with pictorial displays. The oldest window is on the east wall of the Sanctuary next to the shrine of the Blessed Virgin—the Church Triumphant with the Risen Christ among saints and martyrs. The most gazed-at stained glass images must be the clerestory windows depicting Christ and the apostles in the sanctuary above the altar. The best-known windows whose heritage the Cathedral shares with all of Canada, are the Guido Nincheri windows. Nincheri is recognised as one of the most prolific religious artists of Canada for his large murals, frescoes and stained glass art. His work can be found in over 60 churches in North America. He created a series of five windows for the Cathedral over a span of a dozen years. It was in 1941 Archbishop W. M. Duke directed the Rector, Father John Miles, to solicit estimates for five stained glass windows by Guido Nincheri. It would take 13 years for the work to be completed. - See more about the heritage of the windows at http://www.holyrosarycathedral.org/heritage/windows/
 
 Catholicism isn't big in western Canada so this cathedral is the only one of its type here.  You might find others in eastern Canada because it was basically founded by the French, who are/were predominantly Catholic.  There is Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver, but it is of the Protestant faith.  Because of this, Holy Rosary Cathedral is quite a tourist attraction as well as a working church with regular services, weddings, funerals, and the like.  To read more about the cathedral click here.

Are you having fun yet?  We're almost halfway through Round 15 already!!! and we are having great success with participation.  Don't forget to think of the heroic Denise Nesbitt, creator of ABC Wednesday, and the handsome Roger (HAIL to the chief!), our administrator.  Be sure to let him know if you'd like to be on the happy team of assistants who hurry over to about 10 contributors' blogs per week to honour them with their humble commentary.  Doing this will certainly heighten your own delight in ABCW.

29 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

Oh, yes, you SHOULD go. I've been in our Catholic cathedral - not quite as impressive, though I'm not Catholic ether. They probably won't try to convert you!

ROG, ABCW

Trubes said...

That is quite a spectacular and interesting building Leslie.
The stained glass windows are really stunning!

Love Di.xx

I've put my post up but probably done it wrong a gain...I blame the medication, so would you kindly check it for me please? Di xx

Hildred said...

Beautiful post, Leslie - we have a humble but lovely Roman Catholic church here, situated directly across the street from the Anglican church, and I find we are the best of neighbours....

ellen b. said...

That's a real gem sitting in the midst of those modern buildings. It's interesting that there aren't many catholic churches in the Western part of Canada. I grew up in Southern California and there were tons of Catholic churches there because of the Cathoic Mission influence and Mexican influence.

Trubes said...

Leslie, Ellen B (The happy wonderer) has just informed me she can't link to my Trubes site, it must be me again ?

love di..xx

Nonnie said...

The oldest cathedral in my home town of Vincennes is not as grand (big) as this one, but it is still quite lovely. Too bad I didn't think of using it for my word of historic. I would love to visit this one.

Joy said...

I like the aerial view of it nestling amongst the high rises. Looks very calm and cool inside.

Anonymous said...

Gothic is my favorite building style, but because of the height of the ceiling, it was always rather cold to sit through a whole concert in a church like this! The stained glass windows - incredibly beautiful!

Lmkazmierczak said...

I've visited a couple of Cathedrals and found them fascinating...Handsome building and great info♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/hole-on-hold/

Photo Cache said...

what a beautiful church. if i'm in vancouver, i'd certainly visit this church.

frankly my dear

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Holy cathedral those windows are stunning!

Janis

lotusleaf said...

Beautiful stained glass !

Susan Moore said...

When I studied art history I wasn't a fan of Gothic style architecture but now I quite like it.

fredamans said...

It's beautiful, inside and out!

ChrisJ said...

Beautiful inside and outside.

Uppal said...

Lovely,eye catching pictures depicting ornate designs along with comprehensive info!

Unknown said...

Spectacular it is. Loved the stain glass work. Spellbound!

Anita Sabat said...

Great pics! Really pretty :)
HOLY indeed.

Cristina Pop said...

What a spectacular cathedral! Thatnks for introducing it to us!

SamuraiFrog said...

This is a really beautiful building. I took a few art history classes in college and I love to look at church art and architecture. I'm not religious, but the beautiful old buildings (or even buildings in an old style) make me feel so connected to history.

Smalltown RN said...

I use to go to what we called "high mass" at Holy Rosary especially when the archbishop did the service, beautiful church. Great right up about it. Thanks for sharing.

Louisette said...

Wonderfull, the glass also,
Wow...Faboulous fotos ,wonderfull place to visit.
Have a nice sunday , from Belgium with sun.
http://retriever-louisettesblogs.blogspot.be/2014/09/costumes-de-legendes-20-ans-de-creation.html
Honors costumes Opera with the textiles museum of Lyon with ABC wednesday
http://louisette.eklablog.com/-p842116

Ann said...

Oh it looks so glamorous in the middle of the modern buildings. Such a stunning interior, wouldn't a wedding be perfect there.
Ann

Reader Wil said...

Dear Leslie and Lorne, I wish you both a lot of good times together. I think of you and hope that you find comfort from all your friends including us bloggers.
I am glad you went into that church and took those fabulous photos of all those magnificent windows.
Love from Wil

Liz Hinds said...

It's lovely and light and bright inside, isn't it? And beautiful glass.

Reader Wil said...

Hi Leslie! I am thinking of you and Lorne! Wishing you all the best!
Wil

Chris said...

What a beautiful building and amazing photos as usual Leslie. Hope you're both well. I watched Tegan's smile box.. what an adorable puppy.
Love and Blessings
Chris xx

Anonymous said...

I a great blog post and its has quality content. ThanksBali Tours

Anonymous said...

Obat Kutil Kelamin Among the many causes of diseases of the genital warts, Obat Kutil Kelamin Ampuhwhich are the biggest cause is due to our lack of hygiene vital organs. Obat Kutil Kelamin Tanpa Operasi The cause is a great contribution for us to be attacked easily genital warts disease.Cara Mengobati Kutil Kelamin
Patients Jual Obat Kutil Kelamin Wanita with genital warts disease would feel tremendous pain. Obat Kutil Kelamin Untuk Wanita If not cured, and just let it go, Obat Kutil Kelamin Untuk Pria then what happens is that we will suffer Cara Menyembuhkan Kutil Kelamin more severe genital warts.Cara Mengatasi Kutil Kelamin