In the interior of St James’ Cathedral, Toronto, the absence of galleries frees the vertical movement of the arcade and clerestory. A high-pitched roof of heavy timber, crowned with enriched ribs and carved bosses creates a sense of shelter to the nave. The exposed rafters of the roof of the nave are articulated structural elements, and broad tie-beams and decorative cornices accent the joints. The elegant vault of the apsidal chancel, though expressing the thrust from the vault in the ribs that flow down to the ground, is a sham vault of lath and plaster that is coloured to represent stone.
The cathedral is oriented on a north–south axis, whereas the traditional orientation is on an east–west axis with the altar at the east end. The orientation, decided by the design committee at the time, conforms to the symbolic representation of the church at the time, where the conflict with the American troops was apparent—the altar is in the north, away from the United States.
The Cathedral Church of St. James, located in downtown Toronto, is the oldest Anglican church in the city and the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Toronto.
The Anglican parish of St. James was established in 1797 in the then-town of York (now Toronto). The first church, constructed in 1807, was a modest wooden structure. However, it played a significant role during the War of 1812 when it served as a hospital. Unfortunately, American troops later robbed and damaged it.
In 1833, the wooden church was replaced by a stone structure in the Neoclassical style. Tragically, this church burned down in 1839 but was reconstructed and reopened later that year; then this structure too burned down in the Great Fire of Toronto in 1849.
The current St. James Cathedral was built completed between 1850 and 1856, opening for services in 1853. It showcases exquisite Gothic Revival architecture.
Designed by Frederick William Cumberland, it remains one of the finest examples of this style. , featuring pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and soaring windows. The cathedral's exterior is characterized by its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, all hallmarks of the Gothic Revival style. The façade is constructed from a combination of Ohio sandstone and local stone St James’ has the second highest spire in North America at 92.9 metres, after St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York—although the spire of St. James is still shorter than the dome of Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, which is the tallest church in the Western Hemisphere. It was added later by architect Henry Langley in 1873-4, along with the transepts, and the pinnacles and finials.
Look closely, and you’ll find intricate stone carvings, including gargoyles and other decorative elements. The attention to detail reflects the Gothic Revival’s emphasis on craftsmanship and symbolism.
It became the episcopal seat in 1936 after the cathedra was moved from the Diocese's first cathedral, the Cathedral of St. Alban the Martyr, now the school chapel of Royal St George’s College.
Major renovations were completed in 1982. The parish celebrated its bicentenary in 1997, when the peal of 12 change ringing bells was installed as the largest peal in North America.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia and information from the very useful guide leaflet produced by St James’ Cathedral.
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