Downtown Heritage Churches and Synagogues, Victoria, B.C.

Downtown Heritage Churches & Synagogues

This listing updated 18 June 2021
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
Quadra at Rockland
250-383-2714
http://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca
admin@christchurchcathedral.bc.ca

*Sunday Services:
8:00 am Holy Eucharist (BCP Said Service)
10:30 am Contemporary Holy Eucharist with Children's Time & Sunday School
4:00 pm Evensong

*For the most current and up to date information regarding the cathedral's opening and service times, please refer to the website.

This Gothic-style Anglican cathedral is one of the largest in Canada, featuring a 4,000-pipe Helmuth Wolff organ and the region's most significant collection of traditional and modern stained glass. Scheduled tours available or visit on your own. Open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.

This listing updated 16 August 2024
Please contact organization for current 2024 information

CHURCH OF OUR LORD
626 Blanshard Street
250-383-8915
www.ourlord.ca
office@ourlord.ca

Services: Sunday: 8:00am Quiet Worship / Sunday: 10:00am Family Worship

Built in 1876, Church of Our Lord is now part of the Anglican Network in Canada. The land and the 1827 Appleton Organ were donated by Sir James Douglas. This is the oldest church building in Victoria and one of the finest examples of Carpenter Gothic style in B.C. Designated a Federal and Provincial Heritage site. The Appleton organ was originally built in Boston in 1827 and is still in magnificent condition. The church exterior was beautifully restored in the year 2,000 and resulted in an Award of Merit from the Hallmark Society, and an Outstanding Achievement Award from the B.C. Heritage Trust. The Cridge Memorial Hall has also been restored to the original design of renowned architect Samuel MacLure and is now home to many activities as a Community Ministry Centre. Visitors are welcome to attend a service, and learn more about the church and community ministry centre at the website.

This listing updated 29 August 2024
Please contact organization for current 2024 information

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE
1611 Quadra Street
250-383-7169
www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca

The church is open for Sunday services (10 am Parish Eucharist and 4:30 pm Evensong) and mid-week services (8 am Wednesdays - Holy Communion - and 12:30 pm Thursdays - Meditative Eucharist). Sunday services are also live-streamed - www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca/live; For further information please call or email: admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca / 250-383-7169 ext. 226. We are monitoring our email and voicemails. Please be safe; wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds, physically distance yourself from others when needed, and stay home if you are at all unwell.

This Anglican church was built in 1912 to replace the first church of this name. It is a fine example of High Victorian Gothic Revival style architecture.

This listing updated 26 August 2024
Please contact organization for current 2024 information

CONGREGATION EMANU-EL SYNAGOGUE
1461 Blanshard Street
250-382-0615
www.congregationemanuel.ca

Services: Thursday: 7 am; Saturday: 9:30 am.

Tours, when possible, may be arranged through the office: info@congregationemanuel.ca

Congregation Emanu-El is composed of an eclectic group of 250 families who come together to create a dynamic and spiritual expression of Jewish life. We believe in connecting people to one another and to their Jewish roots and traditions, as well as nourishing feelings of community, security and belonging. Our special shul is 160 years old, and our community is the oldest Jewish community in Canada to have continuous care of one Sanctuary. Many tourists visit our beautiful National Historic site to explore its unique history, architecture and restoration.

This listing updated 11 July 2022
Please contact organization for current 2022 information

FIRST METROPOLITAN UNITED CHURCH
932 Balmoral Road
250-388-5188
http://firstmetvictoria.com/

Services: Sunday: 9 am (Communion in Chapel on the first Sunday of the month), 11 am (Sanctuary) online at https://www.youtube.com/c/firstmetvictoria

Constructed of red brick in the perpendicular gothic style for the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, this building was dedicated in May of 1915.

With church union in 1925, First Presbyterian became First United Church and, in January 1997, merged with Metropolitan United Church, (formerly Metropolitan Methodist Church) to become First Metropolitan United Church.

Metropolitan United Church was located two blocks away in the current Victoria Conservatory of Music at the corner of Pandora and Quadra. For more history, see http://firstmetvictoria.com/about/our-history

First Metropolitan maintains an on-site Archives that preserves records of the church. To visit the archives, please email firstmetarchives@gmail.com or call the church office at 250-388-5188.

Historic photographs can be found online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstmetarchives/albums

This listing updated 25 August 2024
Please contact organization for current 2024 information

JAMES BAY UNITED CHURCH
511 Michigan Street
250-384-5821

office: office@jamesbayunited.com
website: http://www.jamesbayunited.com

Service: Sunday: 10:15 am both in person and online.

James Bay United Church has been a spiritual and community cornerstone in Victoria for over 120 years, growing from the seeds of a Methodist Sunday School. This historic wooden church, one of the few unaltered in the city, is the last remaining church on the James Bay peninsula. Its distinctive architecture features a T-shaped, gabled roof, stained-glass windows, and intricate details that echo its rich history. The church features an accessible entrance.

Beyond its architectural significance, James Bay United Church is a vibrant hub for spirituality, social justice, and the arts. The church hosts world-class jazz performances every Tuesday, offers a welcoming Sunday morning service with hymn singing and community, and serves the neighbourhood with a weekly community lunch on Thursdays. The church has also played a pivotal role in establishing local institutions such as the neighbourhood health centre and the seniors' centre.

Additionally, the church operates a Thrift Shop housed in a heritage building listed on the Heritage Register. Recently renovated, the Thrift Shop continues to serve the community and welcomes donations.

Visitors to Victoria are invited to explore this historic site, participate in its diverse offerings, and experience the warmth and care that James Bay United Church has extended to the community for generations.

This listing updated 16 August 2024
Please contact organization for current 2024 information

ST. ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL
740 View Street
250-388-5571
www.standrewscathedral.com
email: standrewscathedral@gmail.com

Services: Sunday: 9 am, 11 am, 5 pm.
Monday to Friday: 12:10 pm.
Saturday: 5 pm.

Mass times are correct as of August 2024. Visit our website listed above for a complete up-to-date schedule.

Built in 1892, this is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Victoria area. Designated heritage building, restored in 1993.

This listing updated 11 July 2023
Please contact organization for current 2023 information

ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Church: 924 Douglas Street (Douglas at Broughton)
Office: 680 Courtney Street
250-384-5734
www.standrewsvictoria.ca
email:office@standrewsvictoria.ca
Sunday Services: Morning 10:30 am.

Located in downtown Victoria at the corner of Douglas and Broughton, not far from the Inner Harbour. The 19th century brick building features magnificent stained glass windows. Our sanctuary is open for viewing every Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 pm. A meditation hour follows from 4:30-5:30 pm. A social hour is held in the Kirk Hall after Sunday service. Accommodations made for those with hearing & mobility issues.