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Following is a brief list of the highlights and milestones of the Cathedral's development, placed in a historical context.

1826	Colonel John By begins construction of the Rideau Canal, to join the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario. The Canal begins to turn the shantytown of Bytown into a centre of commerce. Bytown Anglicans, who are worshipping at St. James Wrightsville (formerly Hull, now Gatineau) wish to have a church of their own.
1832	Christ Church Bytown is formally established Nicholas Sparks, who is homesteading in Bytown, donates a site on the bluffs at the western end of Wellington Street for the first Anglican church in Bytown. Plans are drawn for a 50' x 30' structure.
1833	July 21: The first service is held in the unfinished stone structure Walls are unplastered. There is no ceiling. There are no pews, just seats of rough plank. The church closes for the winter due to inadequate heating. From 1837 through 1841, major developments are made to the church. Funds are raised for a font, pulpit and desk, and panels bearing the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Creed. The church is enlarged. A chancel, transepts, a bell tower and tin roof are added.
1839	The church bell, from Mears Foundry in London, England, is installed. It remains in use to this day.
1843	The church is consecrated
1855	Bytown is incorporated as the City of Ottawa The church builds galleries to hold its growing congregation
1864	The church women raise funds to build a Tuscan-style stone rectory on the west side of the church
1867	The Dominion of Canada is formed, with Ottawa as its capital
1870	Talks begin to divide the Diocese of Ontario. This eventually leads to the creation of the Diocese of Ottawa. Plans begin for a new church. The design is meant to harmonize with "the improvements taking place in the architecture of the city" - that is, the new Parliament Buildings. The church is designed in the Middle Pointed style of English Gothic. The steep sloping sill of the West Window is copied from Parliament Hill's East Block. The clerestory walls are similar to those of the House of Commons.
1872	March 3: The last service is held in the old Christ Church. Demolition begins immediately. July 3: The cornerstone for the new structure is laid
1873	September 29: The first service is held in the new Christ Church Ottawa
1896	The new Diocese of Ottawa is formed. Christ Church Ottawa is chosen as Cathedral.
1897	Benediction of Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa
1900	The Cathedral narrowly escapes the disastrous fire which sweeps through portions of the city directly below the bluffs on which the Cathedral is set
1903	Lauder Memorial Hall is inaugurated. It is named for Dean John Strutt Lauder, the first Dean of the Cathedral. It is built to accommodate offices and Sunday School. The Cathedral is consecrated
1927	Plans begin to replace the 1872 Chancel
1932	The new Chancel is opened. It includes a chapel, organ transept and sacristy. This addition, in the Modern Gothic style, extends the original structure of the Cathedral by approximately 10 metres. The large new chancel makes it possible to meet the sophisticated musical needs of a Cathedral. With its distinguished Choir of Men & Boys, Christ Church Cathedral moves to the forefront of Ottawa musical life. During two world wars and the decades that follow, the Cathedral takes an increasingly prominent role in the activities of the Capital. The 77th Regiment, the Canadian Guards and the Governor General's Foot Guards lay up their colours in the Cathedral. There are Royal Visits in the 1950s and 1960s. Several state funerals of Governors General and prime ministers and other officials of state and dignitaries are held at the Cathedral. The federal government's growth during World War II and the baby boom which follows the War create the conditions for the Cathedral to grow, again.
1956	Plans are made to build Cathedral Hall
1959	Cathedral Hall is opened by Governor General Vincent Massey
1982	The Memorial West Window is commissioned in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Christ Church. The risen Christ is surrounded by symbols of faith and images of the Cathedral, the city, the nation's history, the natural world and the diverse faces of contemporary society.
1999	The Cathedral is designated the Cathedral of the Canadian Armed Forces Canadiennes
2002	Lauder Memorial Hall is restored to create more useful office space and rehearsal room for the choirs of the Cathedral The 'Link' corridor and cloistered 'Garth' garden are built as part of the centennial refurbishment of Lauder Hall
2007	The Cathedral celebrates the 175th Anniversary of Christ Church

... 178 years ... of a continuing journey ... of building a diverse and vibrant parish ... that glorifies God ... and welcomes all people. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Future

The Bishop and Dean are currently composing responses to a number of key considerations and questions about the future of the Cathedral. Please return to this section in November to read the thoughts and direction they have to offer.

The Cathedral of the Canadian Forces Canadiennes

In 1979, Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa was formally designated the Cathedral of the Anglican Military Ordinariate of the Canadian Forces

The Symbols of Christ Church Cathedral

Coat of Arms

In 1996, to mark its centennial as a Cathedral, the Canadian Heraldic Authority presented Christ Church Cathedral with its Coat of Arms.

The white mitre indicates the Cathedral as the Chair (Cathedra) of a Bishop.

On each side of the mitre are heavenly stars: The work of the church is to lead and bring others to Jesus.

The blue background signifies the heavens.

The golden rays of light come from the image of Christ as The Light.

The red Cross of St. George expresses the roots of the Anglican church.

On the red cross is a wavy cross. This image is taken from the Cathedral's West Memorial Window. The west-to-east flow is that of the Ottawa River; the north, the Gatineau River; the south, the Rideau River and Canal system.

At the junction is the sacred monogram of Christ - the letters Chi and Rho, which begin the Greek word for Christ.

Motto

Cathedra

The word "Cathedral" comes from the Greek word "cathedra", meaning chair. The presence of a Cathedra signifies that the church is a Cathedral - the Cathedral of the Diocese of Ottawa - and the official chair or throne of the Bishop of Ottawa. This Cathedra is carved out of oak, with a high back and arm posts supporting a six-sided, three-tiered carved crown.

Cross

This distinctive cross was installed in 2002, as part of the Cathedral's restoration. It closely resembles the church's original 1872 cross.

This filigreed cross is a cherished and beloved symbol of the Cathedral, and regularly appears in parish materials and various event and group logos.

Church Mice

There are four Church Mice in residence at the Cathedral - only four that are in official, permanent residence!: Ms. Bishopmouse, Mr. Deanmouse, Miss Pulpitmouse and Mr. Lecternmouse. Can you find them and make a visit?

The Mice kindly provide some clues, below.