St. James Cathedral Archives and Museum

Type: Archives

This institution aims to search for, identify, acquire, document, preserve, research, and interpret objects of archival, artistic, and informational value, of the Cathedral and its place in the community from the eighteenth century to the present; and to exhibit these materials to the public.

Programming:

Conservation / Preservation:

Archives

  • Marriage and burial records.
  • Parish personnel records and biographical information about prominent parishioners
  • Pew records listing individuals who owned and rented pews, and related correspondence.
  • Photographs and sound recordings.
  • Records of parish deliberations, decisions, actions, administration, correspondence, and finances.
  • Pictorial records including site maps, engineering and architectural drawings.
  • Records of special events of the congregation.
  • Music written and arranged for the Cathedral.

Museum

  • Bibles, prayer books, and a small reference library.
  • Organ pipe and portable organ.
  • Coat of arms, paintings, drawing, prints, icons.
  • Memorial plaques and busts.
  • Textiles: embroideries, flags, and regimental colours.
  • Woodenware and furnishings: crosses, candlesticks, carvings, prayer desks, seats and chairs.
  • Ironwork: bell, fencing, weathervane.
  • China.
  • Brass and silver, both liturgical and secular.
  • Créche collection.

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

Two regular exhibits include The September Art Show to mark Toronto Arts Week, and The Crèche Exhibit of Nativity Scenes from Around the World in December. Other exhibits are held throughout the year such as,

  • Black History, (opening February 5, 2017).
  • The Cathedral during the War of 1812, focusing on Bishop Strachan’s role in the Battle of York and the Cathedral’s use as a field hospital.
  • Vision and Devotion, organized in partnership with the Ontario Society of Artists, focusing on the society’s connections to the Cathedral. The exhibit displayed art by the society’s members housed within the Cathedral.
  • A celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and the links between the British monarchy and the Cathedral (to close October 28, 2012).

Tours

  • Specially organized Cathedral Tours for school classes normally engaged in the study of medieval history, Canadian history, art, architecture, religion, the Cathedral itself, and the broader theme of the Anglican Church and Christianity (the focus of tours catering to the grade 11 World Religions curriculum). Tours also focus on memorials and biography, church windows, carvings, military history, prominent local historical figures, and church architecture.
  • Tours of special exhibits.
  • Tours of Toronto’s Old Town and churches elsewhere in Toronto.

Public Lectures

The Archives and Museum Committee offers public lectures related to exhibitions and / or publications related to the history of the Cathedral and its parishioners.

Publications

Occasional publications related to Parish, Cathedral, and neighbourhood history.

Volunteer/Internship/Placement Opportunities:

This institution accepts volunteers to help with a number of tasks, including greeters and tour guides for special exhibits, research for upcoming exhibitions, and records management.

Address & Contact Information:

St. James Cathedral
65 Church Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2E9

Phone: 416-364-7865 x233.
Email: archives@stjamescathedral.on.ca
Website: http://www.stjamescathedral.on.ca/

Hours of Operation:

The Archives and Museum is open to the public by appointment at any time for research purposes and on designated days during weeks of special exhibits.

The Cathedral is open Sunday – Friday, 7am – 5:30pm; Saturday, 9am – 5pm.

Key Words: religion, architecture