Peterborough in Peterborough County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains
⎯⎯⎯
La cathedrale de St. Peter-in-Chains

The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains Marker<br>(<i>marker south side • English</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024

1. The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains Marker
(marker south side • English)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] The parish of St. Peter-in-Chains was established in 1826 to serve the large Irish Catholic population of the surrounding Robinson Settlement. This building, erected in 1837-38 of stone from nearby Jackson's Creek, is one of the oldest remaining Catholic churches in Ontario. Reportedly designed by the Toronto architect James Chevette, it follows the modified gothic Revival style popular in Upper Canada during the period. In 1882, when the Diocese of Peterborough was erected St. Peter's became a cathedral. Two years later it was extensively renovated and enlarged under its first bishop, Jean François Jamot. Although altered on various occasions, most notably by the addition of a fifth bay to the nave in 1967, St. Peter-in-Chains has retained its original elegance and imposing form.

[Français] La paroisse de St. Peter-in-Chains fut fondée en 1826 pour répondre aux besoins de l’importante population irlandaise catholique de la colonie de Robinson. Ce édifice, érigé en 1837-1838 et construit avec des pierres du ruisseau Jackson, est l'une des plus vieilles églises catholiques qui soient conservées en Ontario.

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Dessiné, croit-on, par l'architecte torontois James Chevette, l’édifice est un exemple de la variante du style néo-gothique en vogue dans le Haut-Canada. Lorsqu’en 1882 le diocèse de Peterborough fut fondé, l’église St. Peter devint cathédrale. Deux ans plus tard, son premier évêque. Monseigneur Jean François Jamot, en entreprenait l’agrandissement et la rénovation complète. Altéré á plusieurs occasions, particulièrement pal l’addition d’une cinquième travée 1967, St. Peter-in-Chains a néanmoins conservé son élégance et ses dimensions impressionnantes.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Citizenship and Culture/Fondation du patrimoine ontarien, Ministère des Affaires civiques et culturelles.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.

Location. 44° 18.32′ N, 78° 19.646′ W. Marker is in Peterborough, Ontario, in Peterborough County. It is on Hunter Street

La cathedrale de St. Peter-in-Chains<br>(<i>marker north side • Français</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024

2. La cathedrale de St. Peter-in-Chains
(marker north side • Français)

West just east of Reid Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located near the southeast corner of the cathedral. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 411 Reid Street, Peterborough ON K9H 2M4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Kawarthas Northumberland Area

and in Eastern Ontario.

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The "Grover-Nicholls" House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sandford Fleming (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Hutchison House 1837 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Brock Street Burial (approx. half a kilometer away); The Peterborough Armoury / Le manège militaire de Peterborough (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Military (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The Post Office (approx. 0.7 kilometers

The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains / La cathedrale de St. Peter-in-Chains Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024

3. The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains / La cathedrale de St. Peter-in-Chains Marker

The marker is located near the southeast corner of the cathedral (behind the construction zone fencing). There was a massive restoration project in progress at the time of this photo.

away); Civic Park (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peterborough.

Regarding The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains / La cathedrale de St. Peter-in-Chains.

From the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains website: The dream of building St. Peter-In-Chains began in August of 1825/1826, nearly 200 years ago, when Peter Robinson brought a group of poor Catholic immigrants from Ireland to the promised land of Canada. Forcing their way through seemingly impenetrable virgin forests, the people claimed their 100 acres of free land in “Peterborough” to realize the dream of a new life. Ten years after their arrival, the men, women, and children began, stone by stone, to build St. Peter-In-Chains Church, with the first Stone Church completed in 1838. In 2025/2026, we will celebrate the bicentennial of our faith heritage within the original stone walls of St. Peter-In-Chains.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Robinson Settlement

Also see . . . Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Roman Catholic services in Peterborough
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024

4. The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains
(southwest elevation)
were first held in a log building in 1825. The parish of St. Peter's was established in 1826 to serve the large Irish population in the area. A wood church was later erected but it was destroyed by fire in 1835 or 1836. What is now the nave portion of the cathedral was erected in 1837 with stone quarried in nearby Jackson's Park. Further alterations in 1884-1886 added the transept/sanctuary space and sacristy to the north end. The roof over the high altar was raised to correspond with the height of the nave in 1931. In 1967, the south wall was extended to the front façade of the tower adding a fifth bay to the original structure.
In 1882, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough was established and St. Peter's became its cathedral. Jean-François Jamot was installed as the diocese's first bishop and he is now buried in the crypt. Until 1908, it was the only Catholic church serving Peterborough and the surrounding communities of Smith, Douro, Otonobee and North Monaghan.

(Submitted on November 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains<br>(<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024

5. The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains
(southeast elevation)

The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains (<i>east elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024

6. The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains (east elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 247 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains⎯⎯⎯La cathedrale de St. Peter-in-Chains

The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains
⎯⎯⎯
La cathedrale de St. Peter-in-Chains