St. Boniface Cathedral


A New Era Has Begun
Construction of foundation for St. Boniface Cathedral (1906) Construction begun 1905 - Cathedral consecrated 1908 In the top right, the second Collège de Saint-Boniface Provincial Archives of Manitoba
A rare photo of both cathedrals and the convent (1908) Provincial Archives of Manitoba
St. Boniface Cathedral (ca. 1909) Provincial Archives of Manitoba
The Roman Byzantine style cathedral, fourth church on the site, was built in 1908. It was designed by the Montreal firm Marchand & Haskell.Its name, St. Boniface, honours the eighth century "apostle of Germany" and veterans of the Swiss des Meurons Regiment who settled here east of the mission.	continued... The reason: Lord Selkirk, controller of the Hudson's Bay Company, had called upon that regiment to maintain peace at the Red River on the promise of free land bordering the Seine River at the mission. Selkirk fulfilled his promise.
View from the mezzanine (1918) Provincial Archives of Manitoba
From this location, with the shape of the ceiling, the choir would be heard as if in an amphitheatre. The pipe organ would be located here. There was no amplified sound production. This mezzanine with the rear choir was the standard layout in most of the churches of the era. This was true for even the smaller churches.	continued... Few people would ever forget such a celebration as a high mass, especially the one held at midnight at Christmas and Easter. The sunday afternoon or evening service (the vespers) was also celebrated with song and joyous music.

Interior of St. Boniface Cathedral (1937) Provincial Archives of Manitoba
From a long lost era overlooking Winnipeg (ca. 1950) Behind the cathedral, the third Collège de Saint-Boniface 1960's Ushers model the Pan Am Tartan April 23, 1967 University of Manitoba Archives
Who could have imagined that this building would burn down fifteen months after this photo was taken?Canada was celebrating its centennial, and the city of Winnipeg	continued... had been honoured with the hosting of the Pan American Games, hence the Pan Am tartans.

About the 1908 St. Boniface Cathedral... Fourth cathedral on this site Built from 1905 to 1908 behind the 1863 single-spired cathedral Architect : Marchand & Haskell - Roman Byzantine Styling Builder : Sénécal Construction: Tyndall Stone - Manitoba Seating : 1500 Rose Window : 25 feet in diameter Cost : $ 325,000 in 1906 money 312 feet in length 88 feet in width 100 feet in width between the bases of the towers 70 feet in height at peak of vault ceiling 150 feet in height to the top of towers Stations of the Cross: Designed by Bouriché - Executed by Rouillard A clone ensemble exists today in the church in St. Anne, Manitoba As of 1968, four bishops had been laid to rest within: Mgr J Provencher Mgr A Taché * Mgr L Langevin * Mgr A Béliveau * * Archbishop Designated Minor Basilica: June 10, 1949 Ruins: July 22, 1968 fire

Home