St. Andrew's Cathedral
St. Andrew's Cathedral
4.5
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
37
Average
16
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Don L
Chilliwack, Canada303 contributions
Feb 2020
I love to visit outstanding churches and St.Andrew's did not disappoint. Built in 1890, the beautiful interior with giant organ placed up the center. Rear stained glass windows were donated by the widow of Robert Dunsmuir, the coal baron. Drop by, you will be most impressed.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul O
Victoria, Canada256 contributions
Sep 2019
A beautiful church.
Lovely architecture, nice stained glass and quiet and peaceful place to relax.
Pretty building!
Lovely architecture, nice stained glass and quiet and peaceful place to relax.
Pretty building!
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJ1502
Saskatoon, Canada89 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
I was in Victoria over Christmas visiting my daughter and son.
We were staying at a hotel about 2.5 blocks away from St. Andrews, so we attended the 8 PM Christmas Eve Service, which started with Hymns being sung at 7:30 PM. My son, daughter and I went to the church at 7:30 PM, and were lucky to get a seat. The architecture, décor, and interior of this beautiful, grand Catholic Church are worth going to see anytime of day, but this particular evening was incredible. The choir and the music were amazing, the atmosphere with the Christmas Spirit in the air made everyone feel welcome, and the homily delivered by Father John Laszczyk was outstanding. My daughter and son both commented later how good the Homily was. I enjoyed it so much, that I went back for the 9:30 AM Sunday service, and was able to listen to another great homily from Father John. If you are staying in downtown Victoria and looking for a Catholic Church to attend, this one is walking distance from anywhere downtown, and well worth the walk.
We were staying at a hotel about 2.5 blocks away from St. Andrews, so we attended the 8 PM Christmas Eve Service, which started with Hymns being sung at 7:30 PM. My son, daughter and I went to the church at 7:30 PM, and were lucky to get a seat. The architecture, décor, and interior of this beautiful, grand Catholic Church are worth going to see anytime of day, but this particular evening was incredible. The choir and the music were amazing, the atmosphere with the Christmas Spirit in the air made everyone feel welcome, and the homily delivered by Father John Laszczyk was outstanding. My daughter and son both commented later how good the Homily was. I enjoyed it so much, that I went back for the 9:30 AM Sunday service, and was able to listen to another great homily from Father John. If you are staying in downtown Victoria and looking for a Catholic Church to attend, this one is walking distance from anywhere downtown, and well worth the walk.
Written December 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthur P
Leawood, KS1,314 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
This is a very beautiful Cathedral designed in 1892. Please take note of the three headstones on the corner to the left of the Cathedral entrance, especially the headstone for Bishop Charles John Seghers, who was murdered.
Written July 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunshine M
Castro Valley, CA194 contributions
Sep 2019
Churches are my thing when traveling! I must go to mass on sunday, thus, I am always seeking the nearest church. This place big, but not as big as you would believe by the outside. However, it is a must see! The outside is gorgeous and the inside is very old looking. The stations look almost three dimensional! The character of the church was simply beautiful. You would have to see it to understand and appreciate it!
Written October 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Betty B
Victoria, Canada126 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Whether you are a believer who wants to spend some quiet time with the Lord or someone who enjoy beauty, or both, you will always be welcome.
Written April 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showustheway
Portland, OR278 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
You'll love the architecture of this beautiful cathedral. Built in the late 1890's and restored in the 1980's. It is a functioning church so they do hold mass there daily.
Written March 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada14,734 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Built in 1892, and recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990, St. Andrew's Cathedral is a beautiful building of religion and spirituality. Built in the High Victorian Gothic style, the church is a thing of wonder, with many of its gothic elements clear to see: The double asymmetrical towers help to make the cathedral a prominent fixture in Victoria's urban skyline; the nave vaulting is pronounced; likewise, the Cathedral's height is vintage gothic because it suggests an aspiration to the Heavens. Perhaps not coincidentally, this significant height also allowed for the development and creation of some of the world’s most beautiful stained glass windows; St. Andrew's Cathedral is no exception with its windows bathing the cathedral in an almost otherworldly light, cleansing the souls of all who enter.
As noted, the interiors are quite impressive. Besides the architectural features already mentioned, the cathedral’s innards carry with them much in the way of social, political and religious history. All three of these elements are beautifully captured by the inclusion of First Peoples artwork at important points in the Cathedral: The altar, carved by noted artist Charles Elliot, is made of yellow cedar and rests on two bentwood boxes. The panels are rotated to coincide with the church’s liturgical year. Similarly, the lectern was carved by prominent artist Roy Henry Vickers and features a riveting split-faced image of Christ. The “red” Christ represents him at the crucifixion while the “black” Christ is meant to illustrate the resurrection (the latter image is doubly significant for me because I’d purchased a print from Roy Henry Vickers’ art gallery in Tofino earlier in the year). The inclusion of these images within the visual and artistic history of the church, I would argue, is a significant and meaningful step towards reconciling historical wrongs betwixt and between the Catholic church and Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. The images represent, for me, the coming together of two spiritual points of view.
While I’m not of the religious type, even I can appreciate such history and its importance to the surrounding area. The sense of peace and calm you feel as you enter the Cathedral is a welcomed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of contemporary life. Admire the art and architecture, yes, but allow this holy place to nourish and revitalize your soul as you visit.
As noted, the interiors are quite impressive. Besides the architectural features already mentioned, the cathedral’s innards carry with them much in the way of social, political and religious history. All three of these elements are beautifully captured by the inclusion of First Peoples artwork at important points in the Cathedral: The altar, carved by noted artist Charles Elliot, is made of yellow cedar and rests on two bentwood boxes. The panels are rotated to coincide with the church’s liturgical year. Similarly, the lectern was carved by prominent artist Roy Henry Vickers and features a riveting split-faced image of Christ. The “red” Christ represents him at the crucifixion while the “black” Christ is meant to illustrate the resurrection (the latter image is doubly significant for me because I’d purchased a print from Roy Henry Vickers’ art gallery in Tofino earlier in the year). The inclusion of these images within the visual and artistic history of the church, I would argue, is a significant and meaningful step towards reconciling historical wrongs betwixt and between the Catholic church and Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. The images represent, for me, the coming together of two spiritual points of view.
While I’m not of the religious type, even I can appreciate such history and its importance to the surrounding area. The sense of peace and calm you feel as you enter the Cathedral is a welcomed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of contemporary life. Admire the art and architecture, yes, but allow this holy place to nourish and revitalize your soul as you visit.
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DoloresJacoby.Let’sTravel.98368
West Palm Beach, FL12,468 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
You can visit from a hop on n hop off tour but I walked. You can see the beautiful church spire from a block away. The old world style architecture is detailed and gothic style. Take time to sit in the pews and lift up a prayer of gratitude. Beautiful ancient trees on site as well.
Written January 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod S
Pullman, WA154 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
An architectural masterpiece! The light pouring in through the stained glass windows, the magnificent flying buttress ceiling, red carpet and wooden pews, all make for a dignified and beautiful place of worship.
Written September 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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