1853 - A new cathedral

The present cathedral, the fourth church erected on this site, opened in 1853, replacing the previous structure destroyed in the 1849 fire. The spire was completed in 1874 and the illuminated clock was installed in 1875, a gift from Toronto’s citizens. An international competition was held; the final design chosen by architect Frederick W. Cumberland is a great example of the Gothic Revival style that was considered the finest style of church architecture. Some of the characteristics of this style are the prominent tower and buttresses, a steeply pitched gable roof, deeply carved moldings, pinnacles, crockets, and iron cresting.