Anglican Cathedral of St John the Baptist

St John's


Serving Canada's oldest parish (1699), this Anglican cathedral is one of the finest examples of ecclesiastical Gothic architecture in North America. Although originally built in the 1830s, all but its exterior walls were reduced to ashes by the Great Fire of 1892. Rebuilt in 1905, its Gothic ribbed ceiling, graceful stone arches and long stained-glass windows are timeless marvels. High tea (adult/child $10/6) is offered in the crypt on weekday afternoons in July and August.

A gargoyle dating from the 12th century – a gift from the diocese of Bristol – stands guard over the south transept. From September to June, the Cathedral Choir sings on Sundays at 11am, and on second Sundays at 7pm.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby St John's attractions

1. The Rooms

0.16 MILES

Not many museums offer the chance to see a giant squid, hear avant-garde sound sculptures and peruse ancient weaponry all under one roof. But that's The…

2. Basilica of St John the Baptist

0.18 MILES

Built in 1855, the soaring twin spires of the basilica pierce the sky and are visible all the way from Signal Hill. Its design marks the revival of…

3. Harbourside Park

0.26 MILES

With iconic statues of a Newfoundland dog and a Labrador Retriever, this park hosts the City of St John’s free Music at Harbourside lunchtime concert…

4. Bannerman Park

0.4 MILES

The largest municipal park in St John's has a very British feel, with its manicured lawns, shady trees, surrounding brick buildings and general green good…

5. Newman Wine Vaults

0.57 MILES

Dating from the 1780s, these dark, cool wine vaults are where the Newman company aged its port until 1996 (when EU regulations forced the process back to…

6. Johnson Geo Centre

1 MILES

Nowhere in the world can geo-history, going back to the birth of the earth, be accessed so easily as in Newfoundland. The Geo Centre does a grand job of…

7. Signal Hill Visitor Centre

1.02 MILES

Features interactive displays on the site's history. The last North American battle of the Seven Years' War took place here in 1762, and Britain's victory…

8. Royal St John's Regatta Museum

1.08 MILES

Quidi Vidi Lake is the site of the city-stopping St John's Regatta. The Royal St John's Regatta Museum is on the 2nd floor of the boathouse, and gives an…