Tour the Cathedral

Guided tours will begin on 01 July - Canada Day!


Have you taken a tour of the Cathedral? Even if you regularly worship here, you're likely to learn something new!

Construction of Christ Church Cathedral was completed in 1853, and it is a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture located in the heart of downtown Fredericton, near the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge. It is a National Historic Site, as well as an active church with thriving ministries, and a unique location for concerts and theatre events.

Guided tours of Christ Church Cathedral are available every day in July and August, including Canada Day and New Brunswick Day. Visit 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 and appreciated (fill out a donation envelope onsite to receive a charitable tax receipt or donate online to receive a tax receipt by email).

A bilingual tour guide will be onsite during your visit to offer information in English and French. Feel free to ask for a guided tour, or explore on your own and ask a few questions. Self-guided tour booklets are available in English, French, German, and Spanish. Souvenirs are available for purchase.

Tours are made possible due to receipt of a Community Funding Grant from the City of Fredericton.

Christ Church Cathedral has an active congregation that worships several times a week. All are welcome to attend. Regular service times are 10:00 a.m. Wednesdays, and 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Attend free concerts in the Cathedral Summer Music Series at 12:10 p.m. Fridays in July and August to hear a variety of local performers and musical styles.

Explore to learn more about the Cathedral's past, and current activities in the congregation and community. Learn more about activities in the Cathedral throughout each year.

 

Poetry on the Lawn

Please join us for the inaugural and special Summer 2025 edition of our Cathedral-sponsored Wednesday Spirituality Series: Poetry on the Lawn!

Twice a month this summer – in June, July & August – we’ll be gathering on the Cathedral lawn on alternating Wednesdays from 3-4:30pm to discuss words of wisdom of wonderful poets.

* Here’s the tentative lineup:

JUNE belongs to two Celtic soul-friends:
• 11 June: David Whyte
• 25 June: John O’Donohue

JULY belongs to two writers-in-residence from opposite sides of this continent:
• 9 July: Luci Shaw
• 23 July: Marie Howe

And AUGUST belongs, very simply, to two greats:
• 6 August (Transfiguration of the Lord): Gerard Manley Hopkins
• 20 August: Mary Oliver

Please feel free to drop in for any or all of these sessions.
No advance RSVP required – but appreciated!
No advance reading required – but encouraged!
Just show up – ready to enjoy some excellent poetry together!

We’ll plan to gather at the picnic tables on the Cathedral Lawn, and to meet inside the Cathedral itself in the event of inclement weather.

Any questions or expression of interest can be communicated to:
Kurt Schmidt, DCF – Director of Christian Formation (half-time)

+ Sharing the Spirit with you in 3D -- as Devoted Disciples Dancing
+ email: <k.schmidt at cccath.ca>

 

 

2025 Summer Music Series

The annual Summer Music Series at Christ Church Cathedral is back! All are welcome to attend these concerts, designed to fit perfectly within the lunch hour.

Fridays from 12:10-12:50 p.m., 04 July - 29 August, 2025, 150 Church Street, Fredericton.

Join us inside historic Christ Church Cathedral as we present a series of concerts featuring soloists and instruments such as piano, guitar, cello, viola, and organ.

View the poster.

Free admission, donations encouraged. Performers will receive an honorarium and proceeds will support the Organ Renovation Fund. Online donations will receive a receipt for tax purposes emailed immediately.

July 4
Natalia Delacroix, viola

July 14
Luke MacLean, voice

July 18
Steven Peacock, guitar
Emily Kennedy, cello

July 25
Caileigh Sullivan, voice
Heather Fyffe, piano

August 1
Kathrin Welte, voice

August 8
Muriel Falkenstein, soprano

August 15
Christian Vanicek, organ

August 22
Isaac Gould, voice

August 29
Thomas Gonder, organ

* * *

MAKE A DONATION
(tax receipt emailed immediately)

Celtic spirituality scholar visits Cathedral

Cami Twilling, Cathedral Director of Christian Formation Kurt Schmidt, and John Philip Newell

He describes himself as a wandering teacher, and on May 7, Dr. John Philip Newell was at Christ Church Cathedral teaching about 120 people in person and another 140 online about the sacredness of earth and its inhabitants.

He is an internationally celebrated teacher and author whose message is one of Celtic spirituality: a call for us to recognize and embrace the sacredness of Earth and every human being in it. ...

* * *

Read the full article, written by Gisele McKnight and published on the NB Anglican website on May 27, 2025.

 

 

Afternoon Tea

On 06 May, the Cathedral was the setting for a lovely afternoon Tea prepared, hosted and served by ACW and Health Ministry members. Ten tables were set and elegantly adorned with spring-like flowers and soft pastel colored napkins. Delicate sandwiches (crustless, of course) and mouth-watering sweets accompanied by bottomless cups of freshly brewed tea were on offer. And the offer was taken up by approximately 40 people. Gentlemen and ladies alike.

The Blue Drawing Room where the Duchess of Bedford entertained guests for Afternoon Tea.

We have all heard of “high tea” and “afternoon tea” and probably all recognize both as typically British customs. Indeed, a little excursion into Google will tell you that we have the very British Anna, the Duchess of Bedford to thank for coming up with the idea of “afternoon tea” sometime in the 19th century. Whereas we now tend to view it as a special and often quite elaborate treat, for the peckish Duchess it started out as simply a snack between meals. She would request tea accompanied by finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and cakes just for her. No simple apple or peanut butter sandwich to tide Anna over!

Anna so enjoyed her afternoon snacks that she soon began inviting her friends and relatives to join her and as news spread of these afternoon occasions (which sometimes included entertainment), others started hosting their own tea parties and before they knew it, the entire country was on to Anna’s invention and a tradition was born.

So what distinguishes “afternoon tea” from “high tea”? Well believe it or not, it seems to have been the type of chair one sits in, along with one’s class. Anna’s wealthy friends and relatives dined seated on low, comfortable and well-padded chairs and sofas. Whilst the working class folks whose jobs didn’t allow for a lengthy afternoon tea, such as enjoyed by the Royals and rich, took their tea after 5:00 pm and sitting in high backed chairs (no doubt not well-padded) and high tables. Thus was born “high tea”! Needless to say, it isn’t only the chairs that differentiate the two. Crustless sandwiches and delicate sweets weren’t exactly the nectar of working class men and women. “High tea” is what is now known as supper or dinner and is the substantial evening meal. Although some folks in Britain still refer to that meal as “tea”, the use of the word high has largely been dropped.

What hasn’t changed, is the appeal of an afternoon tea! It’s an opportunity to slow down and savour a cup of tea and delicious finger food whilst enjoying the company of new and old friends in perhaps much the same way that Anna did. It’s a treat in this busy life allowing us to put our lives on hold and just relax. It can also be an opportunity to celebrate a special occasion.

This Medley Tea in the Cathedral was both. Time to chat and enjoy friends and time to celebrate the milestone 100th birthday of Mary Alwood! Congratulations and best wishes to Mary and we look forward to sharing more Medley Teas with Mary and everyone!

A special thank you to our verger and historian, Hank Williams, for putting together a special selection of historical pieces and being on hand to answer questions. These pieces and the accompanying write-ups were quite extraordinary.

Many thanks to all involved in making this such a lovely occasion, and thanks to Duchess Anna for her tendency to be peckish in the afternoon!

- by Gail MacGillivray

 

Easter Confirmations and a Baptism!

Congratulations to those who were baptized, confirmed, reaffirmed their faith or were received into the Anglican Communion at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, 19 April. It was a wonderful celebration of faith. Below you can see a few photos taken from our worship recording.

Baptism:
Michael Van Tassell

Confirmation:
Alexandria Pope, Jamie Lougheed, Michael Van Tassell, Shallon Woodcock, Rik Hall, Linda Hall, Leah Perry

Reception:
Paul Mac donald, André Vietinghoff

Reaffirmation:
Leyla Lougheed

 

Soup and Chili Luncheon

Join us for a hot lunch after worship on Sunday, 30 March (Mothering Sunday).

The Cathedral branch of Mothers’ Union will serve soup, chili and simnel cake at this fundraising luncheon in Cathedral Memorial Hall.

Members of the congregation are invited for food and fellowship. Feel free to bring a friend! Freewill offerings at the luncheon will support the work of Mothers’ Union.

Mothering Sunday, not to be confused with Canadian Mother's Day, is celebrated in Anglican Churches on the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Learn more about Mothering Sunday and Simnel Cake, a traditional Mothering Sunday treat.

Mothers' Union is an international Christian membership charity of 4 million members living in over 80 countries, who share one heartfelt vision — to bring about a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. Members actively pursue this vision through community programs, advocacy campaigns and a committed prayer life.

View / download the Canadian Mothers' Union information brochure

 

Another successful pancake supper!

A message from Gary Barfitt, President of the Guild of St. Joseph, affectionately known as the "Holy Joes":

"The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is now behind us, and on behalf of the Cathedral Guild of St. Joseph, I want to offer a huge thank-you to all those who helped make it a success. Thank you to all the volunteers (over 60 of you) who worked to get the pancakes, sausages, beans, and gingerbread prepared and moved from the back of the kitchen to the 208 diners at the tables in the Hall. We especially thank those diners who supported us by attending the event and enjoying the meal and the opportunity to spend time with friends. Your generosity raised over $2100 toward the work of the Guild."

Have a look at some photos below, courtesy of Carol Ann Melvin and Heather Perritt.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Shrove Tuesday has always been a celebration for the Cathedral congregation.

Join us at Cathedral Memorial Hall, 168 Church Street, on 04 March, 2025 between 4:30-6:30 pm. The meal will include pancakes, sausages, and beans followed by gingerbread with toppings. Coffee and tea will be available. Admission is by freewill donation.

We need a few extra helpers to make it happen again this year! Can you assist as a table server? It's always a smooth-running and enjoyable event with lots of smiles and “thank you”s, and it’s a great way to see old friends and new visitors. Contact Jim Morell or the Cathedral Office to volunteer. Email <office at christchurchcathedral.com> or phone 506-450-8500.

See photos from past pancake suppers, and more activities and events from the Guild of St. Joseph.