A History Of St. Michaels Catholic Cathedral Building In 1 Minute

On September 29, 1848, St. Michael’s Cathedral was consecrated by the Bishop of Montreal; however, it remained vacant despite the rapidly growing Catholic population. In 1852, St. Michael’s College began conducting classes in the building until it was relocated in 1856. With the death of the first bishop, many other bishops followed, adding different additions to the Cathedral along the way: Bishop de Charbonnel added a decorated vaulted roof which remained until 1937, imported Stations of the Cross, additional chapels, and stain glass windows over the altar (1856) – which were made by well-known French artist Etienne Thévenot; Bishop Lynch constructed the tower and steeple (consecrated in 1866), sacristy, a fence, a second tower (1873), and a new organ (1880); Archbishop Walsh added more stained glass windows, clerestory windows (1890), and St. John’s Chapel (1891), which was used for everyday Mass processions during the winter (it was too difficult to heat the larger Cathedral). In the 20th century, significant changes were made to the interior including major renovations to St. John’s Chapel prior to the Pope’s visit in 1984.

By the end of the 19th century, the St. Michael’s Cathedral complex was completed, including the Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace, St. John’s Chapel and its neighbouring institutions: the Loretta Convent, St. Michael’s Hospital and St. Michael’s Parish School. In 1889, the original 1822 St. Paul’s Church was replaced with a new building, leaving St. Michael’s Cathedral as the oldest Catholic church in Toronto; the Bishop’s Palace also remains the oldest building in Toronto still used for its original intended purpose.
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