Old Town in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

St. James' Cathedral

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

1. St. James' Cathedral Marker

Inscription.
York's first church was built here in 1803-07 with the aid of public subscriptions and a government grant. That frame building was enlarged in 1818-19 and replaced by a larger one in 1831. The first incumbent was the Rev. George Okill Stuart, who served from 1800 to 1812 when he was succeeded by the Rev. John Strachan, later first bishop of Toronto. The second church was burnt in 1839. Toronto's first cathedral was then erected on this site but was destroyed in the great fire of 1849. The present cathedral was begun in 1850, opened for divine service in 1853, and completed in 1874.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 43° 39.013′ N, 79° 22.426′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Old Town. It is on King Street East just east of Church Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located directly in front of the church, on the right/east side of the front sanctuary entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 King Street East, Toronto ON M5C 2E9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Toronto Sculpture Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cathedral Church of St. James (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Ann Shadd Cary (within shouting distance of this marker); Cholera Epidemics of 1832 & 1834 (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Robert Gourlay (about 120 meters away); St. Lawrence Hall (about 120 meters away); York Council Chambers (about 120 meters away); Francis Collins (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

More about this marker. Both sides of this marker have the same inscription.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Cathedral Church of St. James

Also see . . .
1. Cathedral Church of St. James.

The Cathedral Church of St. James is an Anglican cathedral in Downtown Toronto. It is the location of the oldest congregation in the city, with the parish being established in 1797. The cathedral, with construction beginning in 1850 and opening for services on June 19, 1853, was one of the largest buildings in the city at that time. It was designed by Frederick William Cumberland and is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture.

(Submitted on June 7, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

2. St. James' Cathedral Marker

(marker is just to the right of the front sanctuary entrance)

2. Cathedral Church of Saint James.

In 1832, the town of muddy York was little more than a large village, with a population of just over 9,000. Within a dozen years, in 1844, the population had grown to over 18,000 and had incorporated as the City of Toronto. The original St. James cemetery, adjacent to the Cathedral at King and Church streets, was becoming too crowded. During the 1840's the city of Toronto forced the church to take down the headstones and create more green areas for downtown Toronto. Headstones of the famous and influential now hang inside the church. Today there are no markings or indications that there are over 1500 graves surrounding the church.

(Submitted on June 7, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Cathedral Church of St. James.

The Cathedral has been designated as an Ontario Heritage Property by the Ministry of Culture and has also been designated as a heritage site by Heritage Toronto.

(Submitted on June 7, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

4. Drone Tour of St. James Cathedral Toronto. (Submitted on March 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

St. James' Cathedral Sanctuary Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022

3. St. James' Cathedral Sanctuary Entrance

(looking north from King Street East)

St. James' Cathedral (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

4. St. James' Cathedral (southwest elevation)

St. James' Cathedral (<i>sanctuary interior</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

5. St. James' Cathedral (sanctuary interior)

St. James' Cathedral (<i>pipe organ detail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

6. St. James' Cathedral (pipe organ detail)

St. James' Cathedral (<i>stained glass detail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

7. St. James' Cathedral (stained glass detail)

<i>St. James' Cathedral</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Warwick Bros. and Rutter, Ltd., Toronto, circa 1910

8. St. James' Cathedral

Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,125 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 7, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 8. submitted on June 7, 2022.