Click on any of these four images for enlargement... a must see

  

Above four photos Credit: Colin Kent at http://www.pbase.com/cwk/

	Looking towards the south-west, we see a bird's eye view of the open cathedral. The bridge on the left is the Norwood Bridge rebuilt a few years ago. The Red River flows from the south (from the left to the right) towards the cathedral. Across the river lies the city of Winnipeg. Within the brown framework between the side pillars are the five church bells which are used today. This open-air cathedral has now become a focal point for wedding pictures.
http://www.where.ca/winnipeg/article_feature~listing_id~12.htm
St. Boniface Cathedral rebuilt after disastrous fire

It's one of the Manitoba capital's more unusual landmarks. Viewed from the Winnipeg side, the imposing stone façade of St. Boniface Cathedral with its huge empty rose window dominates the far bank of the historic Red River. In 1968, a disastrous fire seemed certain to end the church's position as the cultural centre of the old francophone district. Salvation came in the form of a new, smaller church, designed by award-winning local architect, Etienne Gaboury to fit inside the limestone ruins. An open-air atrium behind the facade gives access to the hidden, 1,000-seat cathedral. A self-rusting steel roof adds colour and contrasts with the grey Tyndall limestone walls. The Roman Byzantine style ruin, fourth church on the site, was built in 1908. Its name honours the eighth century "apostle of Germany" and veterans of the Swiss des Meurons Regiment who settled here. Since the first bishop, Joseph-Norbert Provencher (his name graces a bridge and boulevard here) celebrated the Eucharist in a log church in 1819, the diocese	continued... has had a close relationship with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The order, whose members were in the vanguard of 19th century missionary endeavours in the Canadian West, contributed three archbishops from St. Boniface. The name of Alexandre-Antonin Taché is perpetuated by the naming of a school, a hospital, and the attractive riverside promenade here, while coadjutor Vital-Justin Grandin went on to become St. Albert's first bishop in distant Alberta. Six bishops (approaching 2008) and four missionary priests are interred in the old cathedral crypt, which, along with some church furnishings, survived the fire. Pleasant, park-like grounds of the cathedral offer visitors a variety of historic sites. Early missionaries, explorers and settlers in the cemetery include Louis Riel and other participants in the rebellion of 1869. Monuments honour the Blessed Virgin and the La Vérendrye family of explorers. The former Grey Nuns log hospital / convent, now a museum, is said to be the oldest and largest log structure in western Canada.
Western Catholic Reporter Week of April 3, 2000 By TED FITZGERALD

Is this the fifth or the sixth cathedral ? 1818 The first building, a small chapel only, nonetheless a place to worship. Some sources call this the first church while other sources would call this a chapel. 1820 A larger building measuring 100 by 33 feet was built. Was this a cathedral? 1832 The third building: the 'turrets twain' cathedral made famous by the American poet John G. Whittier's 'The Red River Voyageur.' 1862 Fourth building: the third cathedral received its steeple some twenty years after its initial construction. 1905 The 1862 cathedral stayed undamaged while the 1905 cathedral was being built behind. (The webmaster's maternal great-grandfather worked on the building of this cathedral. He is also buried here.) 1972 Parts of the 1905 (fifth) cathedral. The front and partially the sides are readily seen as part of the entourage. As we can see, referring to the 1972 cathedral as the fifth cathedral, or as the sixth church, are both correct...

About the Present Cathedral... Fifth cathedral on this site Built in 1972 Architect: Étienne Gaboury Seating: 1000 Structure: Ceiling - Cedar Benches - Oak Entrance - Pine Bells: Central Bell Weight: One Ton Five Bells with Frame: Thirteen Tons Left Bell : Donated by Saint Boniface College Second Bell: Donated by the Grey Nuns Third Bell : Purchased in France Fourth Bell: Purchased in France Fifth Bell : Donated by the Oblate Fathers from St. Norbert, Canada Construction: Tyndall Stone Resurrection : Christ in Mosaic - Baked Clay Artist: Réal Bérard Built within the Ruins of the 1968 Fire Saved from the 1968 Fire: Mgr Béliveau's Fauteuil (1916) Sanctuary Lamp Holy Species Archbishop: Mgr Émilius Goulet (Since 2001)* Missionaries laid to rest within: Father L Tétrault Father R Maisoneuve Father J Tissot Father J Darveau Bishops laid to rest within: Mgr J Provencher (1787 -1822- 1853) Mgr A Taché (1823 -1853- 1894)* Mgr L Langevin (1855 -1895- 1915)* Mgr A Béliveau (1870 -1915- 1955)* Mgr M Baudoux (1902 -1955- 1988)* Mgr A Hacault (1926 -1974- 2000)* Consecration Year * Archbishop