St. Ann's Academy Chapel - Victoria, BC
Posted by: 
arby101ca
N 48° 25.111 W 123° 21.829
10U E 473081 N 5362882
The historic chapel of St Ann's Academy started life in 1856 as St Andrew's Church and the original RC Cathedral in British Columbia. In 1871 it was moved across the street and built into St Ann's Academy as the chapel.
Waymark Code: WM67B0
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 04/16/2009
Views: 8
The historic chapel of St Ann's Academy started life in 1858 as St Andrew's Church, the original wooden Roman Catholic Cathedral in British Columbia. St Ann's Academy was also initiated in 1858 when the Sisters of St Ann were invited by Bishop Modeste Demers to start a convent and school for girls in early days of Victoria, the capital of the colony of British Columbia.
In 1886, the Sisters of St. Ann received, as a gift, St. Andrew’s church, the which sat just across the street from the Convent, and had the church moved, on skids, over to their side of Humboldt St. It was integrated into the expanded Academy and served as the place of worship for the religious community and the students at St Ann's. The move allowed the construction of a hospital across the street and a new cathedral for the congregation. The original St Andrew's church was prefabricated in Quebec and transported by ship along with the builder, Brother Michaud. He also accompanied the original four Sisters on their journey from Quebec. A master craftsman, Brother, later Father Michaud designed and constructed the church in the style favoured for rural churches in his native Quebec. The elaborate ceiling was arched, with vaults made from hand hewn red cedar boards expertly joined and held together with round pegs. The interior was in the classic highly decorated, flamboyant style of Quebec churches.
St Ann's Academy served as a private school for girls from 1858 until 1973. The chapel was a key part of their religious devotion and music. Following Vatican II in the 1960's the decorations were painted over and the altar replaced with a small table for the priest now facing the congregation. Many felt these changes desecrated the church. In 1973 the Academy closed and was was turned over to the Province of British Columbia. In 1993 a major restoration ($16.7 million) restored the building to be a functioning government office building and the chapel to its former glory as a museum. St Ann's is a National Historical Monument and the chapel is the key historical component.
Although deconsecrated the beautiful historic chapel remains available for special events, religious celebrations, weddings, christenings, funerals etc.
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 06/06/1858
Age of Church building determined by?: Church website
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Catholic
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: From: 10:00 AM To: 4:00 PM
Street address of Church:
835 Humboldt St
Victoria , BC Canada
V8W 1N8
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Not listed
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed
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