Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB is seeking a Sexton, a position which is integral to our overall operations.
Reporting to the Dean of Fredericton and working with the Property Committee, the successful candidate will be tasked with maintaining Christ Church Cathedral, Cathedral Memorial Hall and the grounds in a clean and orderly condition, and performing minor repairs as required.
Work involves overseeing and monitoring building operations in person and via camera systems. Duties also include opening and closing of both buildings, set-up for special functions, and attention to the Cathedral clock and tower, sprinkler system, sump pumps and other equipment and appliances.
This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits, and flexible working hours, including occasional weekends and evenings.
Please submit a resume and a cover letter which explains why you have applied for the position and why you feel you are a suitable candidate. Applications may be submitted by mail, email, or in person during office hours (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Monday-Friday).
Christ Church Cathedral Office
168 Church Street
Fredericton, NB E3B 4C9
Applications must be received by end of day Thursday, August 22, 2024. Christ Church Cathedral appreciates all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.
Have you taken a tour of the Cathedral? Even if you regularly worship here, you're likely to learn something new!
Guided tours of Christ Church Cathedral are available throughout July and August 2024. Visit us Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tours are free, donations are welcome (fill out a donation envelope to receive a tax receipt).
Drop by to welcome new tour guide Angus McDonell and Alex LeBlanc, who is returning for a fourth summer as Lead Tour Guide.
Tours made possible due to receipt of a Community Funding Grant from the City of Fredericton.
Self-guided tour booklets are available in English, French, German, and Spanish.
At the direction of Bishop and Chapter we're moving forward on a project to replace the north entrance stair lift at Memorial Hall. At the moment, we're inaccessible for those confined to a wheelchair or unable to negotiate the stairs. Our hope is installation by the end of summer. The approximate cost is $30,000. We've had indications of support from both the Diocesan Synod and the Guild of St. Joseph. Contributions are being both encouraged and requested and will receive the usual receipt for income tax purposes.
The installation contract was awarded to Lawtons Home Health Care, Halifax for the commercial-grade Garaventa lift Xpress II.
Xpress II - inclined platform
The Garaventa lift Xpress II inclined platform wheelchair lift is designed to provide economical access between two landings.
The platform travels on two rails which are secured directly to the wall or to support towers and is propelled by means of a carriage-mounted rack and pinion drive system. When the platform is not in use it is folded, taking up minimal space on the stairway.
The Xpress II is cost-effective and is ADA compliant. With a variety of standard and optional features available, it can be designed to suit the needs of the user and building owner.
Do you love history and enjoy meeting new people? Apply for a summer job as a Cathedral Tour Guide!
Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton, New Brunswick is pleased to once again open its doors for tours this summer. We are seeking a part-time tour guide to work alongside our Lead Tour Guide, providing a warm welcome and excellent hospitality to visitors and locals.
With hundreds of people choosing to visit the Cathedral each year, it is a wonderful opportunity for our guides to share the key role of our church in Fredericton’s past and present. Previous summer tour guides have enjoyed meeting people from around the world, learning the history of the Cathedral, and gaining experience in bilingual tourism.
A job as a Cathedral tour guide involves welcoming visitors in English and French, providing tours, and assisting with events. Training will be provided. The position is available to an adult or youth 16+ years old. Candidates for this position are not restricted by religious affiliation; however, knowledge of the Anglican Church would be considered an asset.
Application Process Please submit a resume and a cover letter which explains why you have applied for the position and why you feel you are a suitable candidate. Applications may be submitted by postal mail, email, or in person during office hours (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Monday-Friday).
Email: <search at christchurchcathedral.com>
Christ Church Cathedral Office
168 Church Street
Fredericton, NB E3B 4C9
Deadline for Applications Applications must be received by Friday, 21 June, 2024 (extended). Interviews will take place with selected candidates as soon as possible, with orientation training to take place the last week of June, 2024.
This position is made possible through the City of Fredericton's Community Funding Grant program.
The Dean has called a congregational meeting on Sunday, 16 June 2024 following 10:30 a.m. worship.
Find details of a report to Bishop and Chapter from representatives of the group investigating a public foundation option in the May 2024 Bishop and Chapter News.
The agenda will address a request from the Restoration Trust Fund Committee to amend the Restoration Trust Fund By-Law to make funds available to the Bishop for use by a new Fredericton Cathedral Foundation.
Section 4 reads: "It is declared that the Fund is a trust of which the Chapter is the trustee, the income and capital of which is to be used only to maintain, repair or restore the Fabric."
The proposed amendment will cause Section 4 to read: "It is declared that the Fund is a trust of which the Chapter is the trustee, the income and capital of which is to be used only to [, or make possible to,] maintain, repair or restore the Fabric."
An initial congregational meeting was held in the Fall, where Archbishop David was asked to look into establishing a foundation to take ownership of the building in order to raise funds for its restoration, while retaining it as a place of worship. To that end a committee was established to advise the archbishop about ways forward. A second congregational meeting was held April 25 in order to provide an update.
Discussions will now happen between the Cathedral Bishop and Chapter and members of the advisory group looking at the needs of the congregation and how these might be met by any future foundation. This will be a detailed process and may lead to an operating agreement between the two groups, providing a basis upon which to move ahead.
A congregational meeting will be held at the request of the Bishop from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, 25 April. The meeting will be held in Cathedral Memorial Hall.
All members of the congregation are invited to attend this follow-up to the November 2023 meeting about the cathedral building. Minutes from that meeting can be found in your Annual Report.
Gary Barfitt, President of the Cathedral's Guild of St. Joseph (affectionately known as the Holy Joes), sent us this update about a recent project at the Cathedral. Thanks to the workers who keep our buildings tidy and safe!
Back in the late spring, at one of the last Holy Joes' meetings before summer break, one of our members spoke of the need for the carpet at the Cathedral west entrance to be replaced. We decided to take on the task.
Later in the summer, we removed the old carpet and, upon inspecting the wooden ramp, found that we needed to replace some of the wood. Once the wood was replaced, we contacted a local flooring company to supply and install new carpet.
The final "step" was to install a transition/threshold between the ramp and the driveway [for wheelchairs and walkers to easily roll over the gap]. That was completed recently.
In 2022, the contracted firm of Heritage Standing delivered a comprehensive report on the significant costs of the maintenance issues facing the Cathedral.
Earlier this year the Cathedral and Synod contracted with Source Alliance to undertake a study on the feasibility of funding required renovations. Approximately 45 individuals/couples were interviewed and a report was produced. Bishop and Chapter have reviewed the report.
The dean is calling a congregational meeting to share the recommendations and propose possible next steps.
All are encouraged to attend on 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, 21 November in Cathedral Memorial Hall. Refreshments will be served.
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UPDATE: Minutes from the meeting can be found in your 2024 Annual Report (for 2023).
Christ Church Cathedral is an important architectural and historical landmark in Fredericton, and August 31, 2023 marks the 170th anniversary of its consecration.
The Cathedral was consecrated on August 31, 1853. Bishop Medley wrote in his journal on that day,
"The Cathedral, the corner stone of which was laid October 15, 1845, was consecrated this day. All praise be to God, who has enabled me, amidst many difficulties, to finish it. May the Lord pardon all that is amiss, and make it His holy dwelling place for evermore. Amen."
A description of the events was included in a history of the Cathedral published in 1910, during the episcopacy of Bishop John A. Richardson (1907 - 1938).
Photo from 1910 history booklet
The Consecration was of course performed by the Bishop of the Diocese. There were present also the Bishop of Quebec, Right Reverend G. J. Mountain, the Bishop of Toronto, the Right Reverend John Strachan, and Right Reverend Horatio Southgate, a Bishop of the Church in the United States, besides the Reverend Dr. Haight, of New York, Dr. Edson, of Lowell, Mass., Archdeacon Coster, Rector of Fredericton, Reverend Richard Podmore, Curate of St. Anne's Chapel, Reverend F. Coster, Rector of Carleton, and other Clergy of the diocese to the number of sixty. A procession was formed at 10 a.m. in which were several members of the Bench and Bar in their robes, Officers of the 76th Regiment, the Mayor, and other distinguished inhabitants of the city and neighborhood, attended by boys bearing banners.
The sermon was preached by Bishop Southgate from Ps. cxxii., v. 8, 9. It was an able and eloquent address, expressive of the deep joy felt by the members of the American Church in this event as an earnest of the wider extension of catholic unity.
The music at the consecration service was very fine, and included a beautiful anthem by Dr. George Elvey, organist of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was well rendered by a large and efficient choir. The organist was Mr. S. A. Hayter, who had received his training at Salisbury Cathedral. The organ was built by Mr. Naish, who had served his apprenticeship with Walker, the great London organ builder, and who was brought out by the Bishop to do this work.
Photo from 1910 history booklet
The services connected with the consecration of the Cathedral lasted for a week; during which eloquent and appropriate sermons were preached by the Bishop of Quebec, formerly Rector of the Parish of Fredericton; by Dr. Haight, and by Dr. Edson. The Bishop held his first visitation, and delivered his first charge to his clergy on the Thursday of this week. Addresses were presented to the visiting Bishops and Clergy, and also to the Bishop of the Diocese from his clergy, before the proceedings terminated. The crowded congregations, the reverent demeanor of the worshippers, and the large amount of the offertory collections, showed that the great body of the people took a very hearty interest, and an honest pride, in their new Cathedral.
An updated history booklet was published in 1975, during the episcopacy of Bishop Harold L. Nutter (1971-1989).
Learn more about Cathedral history and explore the building virtually.
Mark the anniversary by stopping by on August 31st to explore the Cathedral with our Lead Tour Guide Alex LeBlanc, on the last day of our summer tour season!
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB is seeking a Sexton, a position which is integral to our overall operations.
