Heritage Value

Historical Value

Holy Trinity Cathedral is valued for its historical association with the earliest settlement of New Westminster. The first Anglican service in New Westminster was held in 1859, reflecting the British origins of the Royal Engineers who founded the city. The Cathedral is one of the few buildings of downtown New Westminster that retains substantial fabric that has survived the Great Fire. Numerous important historic figures from the development and construction of British Columbia are featured in the Cathedral’s story; including clergy such as the Rev. John Sheepshanks and the Rt. Rev. Acton Sillitoe, Colonel R.C. Moody of the Royal Engineers, architect H.O. Tiedemann, builder Thomas Trounce and architect George Grant, as well as HTC’s association with many prominent New Westminster families.

Architectural Value

Aesthetically, Holy Trinity Cathedral is of architectural significance for its Gothic Revival style, and for its interior and exterior design. Little of the Cathedral has been changed, and it retains many of its original features and patina. The apse is illuminated by stained glass windows of exceptional quality, and the leaded windows of the nave are also fine examples of their craft.

Community Value

This has been the site of religious worship for longer than Canada has been a country. Beyond this historic significance, there is a deep-rooted tradition of community involvement and service. The parish is active in charitable organizations, notably the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition, and as part of the Anglican Church of Canada is a participating member of the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund. HTC also runs a breakfast program that provides free meals to the less fortunate, and encourages participation from volunteers including students from St. Thomas More Collegiate. The Cathedral is the focal point for pastoral care to the community, including weddings, baptisms, hospital visitations and funeral services.

 

Historical Value

The Establishment of New Westminster and the First Holy Trinity Church

• In 1859, New Westminster was chosen as the new capital of the Mainland Colony of British Columbia. It was incorporated as Western Canada’s first city the following year.

• In the spring of 1859, the Royal Engineers began clearing the land for the establishment of New Westminster.

• In February 1859, the British War Office decided to provide spiritual care for the troops under the command of Colonel Moody, and in September, sanctioned 100 pounds sterling for the purpose.

• John Sheepshanks was nominated as the Reverend for the new parish, and conducted the first Anglican service in New Westminster on Sunday September 2nd, 1859 at the Customs House.

• Holy Trinity Church was the second Anglican Church built on the mainland; the first had been built near Fort Langley.

• The first Holy Trinity Anglican Church, built in 1860, was designed by Captain Arthur Reid Lemprière, who arrived with the third group of Royal Engineers in April, 1859.

• The first Holy Trinity Church was destroyed by fire in 1865. 

Construction of the Second Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1867

• The second church was built of sandstone imported from Salt Spring Island, and was consecrated on December 18th, 1867.

• The architect was Hermann Otto Tiedemann, a successful architect, noted as the designer of the Colonial Administration Buildings in Victoria (the “Birdcages”).

• The first Bishop of the new diocese, The Right Reverend Acton Wyndeyer Sillitoe, was consecrated Lord Bishop of New Westminster on All Saints’ Day 1879.

• Holy Trinity Church became the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of New Westminster in 1892.

Great Fire and Rebuilding 1898-99

• Holy Trinity was burned during the great New Westminster fire of September 10, 1898.

• The wooden elements of the building were destroyed, but many of the walls, although damaged, remained standing.

• The current Cathedral is a reconstruction of the previous church, the walls and foundations of which were found to be sufficiently strong to be reused.

• The reconstruction was undertaken by local architect George W. Grant, who was extremely busy following the Great Fire, designing many of the structures in Downtown New Westminster that still stand.

• Of the peal, seven of the eight bells were cracked beyond repair, and were sent to San Francisco to be melted down to provide funds for the rebuilding. The one original bell that remained, named “Wisdom,” still hangs in the tower.

• Work was completed on the rebuilding of the Cathedral in 1899 in time for services on All Saints Day. The Cathedral was consecrated on April 3rd, 1902, following the settlement of the debt incurred by the restoration work.

Twentieth Century to Present

• This remained as the Cathedral Church of the Diocese until 1929 when Archbishop de Pencier designated Christ Church in Vancouver as his Cathedral.

• The Parish of Holy Trinity was bitterly disappointed, and following a fight which lasted over a year and which threatened to be dragged before the Supreme Court, a settlement was reached which included the right of Holy Trinity to retain the title of Cathedral in perpetuity.

• Notable surviving features of Holy Trinity Cathedral include the three stained glass windows in the apse, the work of local craftsmen, Henry Bloomfield & Sons.

• A number of historically significant artifacts grace the Cathedral. Ties to Westminster Abbey are represented by the pillared Credence Table in the sanctuary and the altar cross as well as the banner on the front of the pulpit. The brass lectern was a gift of the first Governor of the Colony, Sir James Douglas in 1875. This and other items were saved from the burning former building by the Rector of the day, the Reverend Shildrick.