Affiliation Roman Catholic Website Official website Architect Étienne Gaboury | District Saint Boniface Phone +1 204-233-7304 | |
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Location 190 Cathédrale AvenueWinnipeg, ManitobaR2H 0H7 Similar | ||
Saint boniface cathedral
Saint Boniface Cathedral is a Roman Catholic basilica and the cathedral of Saint Boniface, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Contents
- Saint boniface cathedral
- 19th century origins
- 20th century rebuilding
- Cathedral cemetery
- Surroundings
- References
It is an important building in Winnipeg, and is the principal church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Boniface, serving the eastern part of Manitoba province as well as the local Franco-Manitoban community. The basilica sits in the centre of the city at 190 avenue de la Cathédrale, Saint Boniface.
19th-century origins
The first church on the site was founded by Fr. Norbert Provencher, a priest and future bishop, who ordered its construction in 1818 in the form of a small log chapel. In 1832 Bishop Provencher built the first cathedral but on December 14, 1860, a fire destroyed the first building. In 1862, Bishop Alexandre Antonin Taché rebuilt the cathedral in stone.
20th century rebuilding
By 1900, St. Boniface was the fifth largest city in the West and needed a larger cathedral. Local contractors Senecal and Smith were engaged to build a new cathedral to plans by Montreal architect Jean-Omer Marchand. On August 15, 1906, Monsignor Louis-Philippe Adélard Langevin dedicated the cathedral, which became one of the most imposing churches in Western Canada.
On July 22, 1968, the 1906 cathedral was damaged in a fire, destroying many features including the rose window. Only the facade, sacristy, and the walls of the old church remained.
In 1972, a new smaller cathedral, designed by Étienne Gaboury and Denis Lussier, was built behind the 1906 façade.
The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at St Boniface Cathedral.
Cathedral cemetery
Notable people buried in the cathedral cemetery include:
Surroundings
The Cathedral faces the Red River. Nearby is Esplanade Riel, Provencher Bridge, Provencher Park, Tache Promenade, Verendrye Park, the Université de Saint-Boniface and the Saint-Boniface Museum. In Verendrye Park is a statue of Pierre La Vérendrye by Joseph-Émile Brunet. Across the river is The Forks in Downtown Winnipeg.