New Tours at the Cathedral
New Summer Tours begin June 11 Christ Church Cathedral will be hosting scheduled guided tours for the first time this summer, offering an insight into everything from flying buttresses to bellringing. Tours will be scheduled several times a week in the afternoon and early evening starting June 11.
Led by trained docents, the 45-minute highlights tours will explore the nave and chapels and their art and architecture. Cost is $10 per person and $20 per family for general highlights tours and $15 per person for the specialized tours. Tickets can be purchased in advance online (Eventbrite) or at the cathedral office. (group tours for schools and community groups are available on request).
Although the cathedral is open daily for self-guided visits, the tours will provide another opportunity for people to hear more of its rich history.
In addition to highlights tours, we are offering specialized tours that allow small groups to go behind the scenes and learn more about topics such as stained glass and famous women in the church. These are small groups so get your tickets soon! Here are some upcoming tours (that will be repeated later in the summer):
June 14 – Bell ringing (2:30 pm) Climb the winding staircase to the bell tower where the tower captain will explain the art of change ringing and the history of the bells and demonstrate the activity. Then climb up further to see the huge bells at rest.
June 26- Stained Glass Visions. (2:30 pm) A closer look at one of the most outstanding collections of the traditional and modern stained glass in western Canada, some windows hidden from view to most visitors. The guide will be Ed Schaefer, the cathedral’s curator of stained glass and a professional glass artist.
July 5 Harp and Angels: Women in the Church. (2:30 pm) After you hear about some of the real-life angels, including a British heiress who financed churches and bride ships, see work by pioneering artists and view a modern interpretation of Mary in stained-glass. Includes tea and a concert by Victoria harpist Gwyneth Evans.
July 9 Cathedral Music: Pipe Dreams and Song. (2:30 pm) Hear some history about choral music, and then join Michael Gormley, music director emeritus, in the organ loft for a demonstration of our Helmuth Wolff organ (with 4,000 pipes).
July 17 - Wartime in the Cathedral. (2:30 pm) What do Coventry Cathedral and the Canadian Scottish Regiment have to do with the Cathedral? Hear the human stories behind the two World Wars and their impact on the cathedral.