Christ Church Cathedral

Nestled incongruously at the foot of a towering glass-fronted skyscraper, the Gothic-revival Christ Church Cathedral jostles for space with the bustling boutiques of Saint-Catherine Street. Not just for culture vultures and history buffs, the sacred space has opened its doors to a wealth of visitors from weary shoppers and tired sightseers to families, honeymooners and anybody seeking solace and tranquillity from the stresses of modern life.

Originally built in 1859, this stately cathedral was designed by the eminent architect, Frank Wills. Unfortunately, it transpired that the ground beneath the foundations was too soft to support the structure and, by 1920, the subsidence was so chronic that the stone steeple was tilting 1.2 metres towards the south. To counteract this measure, a shopping centre called Promenades Cathédrale was constructed beneath the cathedral in 1987.

Take your time examining the stunning exterior inspired by 14th-century English architecture. Gaze up at the pointed spires as they pierce the sky and see if you can spot the pretty rose window on the west façade.

Inside, pick up one of the self-guided leaflets and explore at your leisure. Impressive stained-glass windows feed into a beautifully painted open timber ceiling. Note the carved capitals of the nave piers before inspecting the original finishes in the former vestry.

Pause at the altar to admire the magnificent 18th-century replica of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper which sits just above the choir stalls. This precious relic was the only one to survive the fire in the original Christ Church Cathedral and, as such, is not to be missed.

The cathedral offers a wonderful selection of concerts and recitals throughout the year. Catch the choir on Sundays for a stunning Choral Eucharist at 10 a.m. and a spectacular Choral Evensong at 4 p.m. No visit to Montreal is complete without paying your respects in the noble Christ Church Cathedral so make sure it’s near the top of your cultural to-do list.