This is St. Alban's Anglican Church in Sandy Hill, a short walk away from the church I showed you yesterday. Dating back to the 1860s, it is in the Gothic revival style, courtesy of the architect Thomas Fuller, who designed the Parliament buildings as well (though his original Centre Block later met a bad end in the 1916 fire). Sir John A. Macdonald, our first prime minister, attended here regularly, and his family's pew is still marked in the sanctuary.
Today the church is socially progressive and active in the community, including work with the homeless, refugee sponsoring, and other ventures. Because of some of those ventures, they've recently added what are essentially pods into the sanctuary for office space, carefully working with heritage officials to find the right balance.
This plaque caught my eye in the sanctuary- just for that name. Horatio Asprey Wicksteed. Now that's a name of names.
The stained glass also caught my eye- particularly the last one. It looks at a distance like a Galahad knight in armour window, and you think for a moment that it's a memorial to a fallen soldier, but it's in memory of a boy who died at twelve.
I especially love the exterior and the stained glass!
ReplyDeleteSounds like St Albans is doing a lot of good for the community William, super interior shots, as always love the stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteSo many worthy causes! A beautiful building, too.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
I like the outside of this church, but what's more important: they seem to do a lof of good work.
ReplyDeletelooks like a tiny entrance through there, how tall are you William? i'm 5'8 so i wonder would i have to duck? my Dad is 6'2. the hubby is a bit shorter than my Dad & similar to my Bro. very cool. love the windows. i say that a lot, huh? giggles. ( :
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful church! William, you really could do a book of these.
ReplyDeleteThe Anglicans know how to build attractive church buildings. I'm glad to hear this congregation is making a difference in the community. I've not see pods in a nave before...but hey, whatever works!
ReplyDeletenice exterior and pretty windows.
ReplyDelete@Linda: stained glass always appeals to me.
ReplyDelete@Grace: so did I.
@Janis: it's a nice one.
@Jan: they do, yes.
@Beth: not that small an entrance. I'm six feet tall, and I had no problem with it.
@Norma: thank you!
@Lowell: in this case it works well.
@Tex: indeed!
It's amazing how they keep these building in great condition and that they can be carefully modified for today's uses.
ReplyDeleteThat really is beautiful stained glass and I love that name!
ReplyDeleteI love that exterior in the 1st shot, William! Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThose windows are really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe outside looks rather unusual, nice stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteAch! We have a St. Albans, too! It's the Washington National Cathedral's parish church.
ReplyDelete@Red: the modification's worked well here.
ReplyDelete@Sharon: it's quite an old fashioned name.
@RedPat: I do as well.
@Halcyon: they are.
@Marianne: looking at these shots, I want to photograph the exterior again sometime before summer ends.
@Revrunner: small world!
I like the outside of the church, it's very attractive. The church and the community seem to have a strong bond which is great in today's society. The interior is beautiful and stained glass windows I love. You must have many churches in Ottawa. Well done William, I really enjoy your tours around town!
ReplyDeleteInteresting church and commentary too. Love the stained glass and the bright colors. Also odd to see modern rising behind the olden.
ReplyDeleteMB
love the arched entrance
ReplyDeleteI like the outside of the church. It looks very unusual.
ReplyDeleteNice church and stained glass. Need to write a pirates tale about Wicksteed! Lol
ReplyDeleteThe stained glass is fantastic and no, those pods look out of place.
ReplyDelete@Bill: we do have a lot, and many in the Gothic style downtown.
ReplyDelete@MB: the apartment buildings certainly weren't there in Macdonald's time.
@Gerald: so do I.
@Orvokki: and yet fitting with the Gothic look.
@Eve: it would be a good pirate name!
@Mari: I guess one has to see them in place as they are. They worked for me.
Love the exterior design of the church. So sweet. Intriguing that a stained glass window would be a memorial to a boy who died at 12 years of age. There must be quite a story behind that one.
ReplyDeleteThere would be.
DeleteI love the archway and (of course) the stained glass windows!
ReplyDeleteSo do I.
DeleteYep, love the name. I'm still so surprised lightning didn't strike!
ReplyDeleteYou'd think!
DeleteLooks like a lovely place...and I applaud their activism. Considering many politicians are reluctant to help anyone besides campaign donors it makes religion far more relevant these days.
ReplyDeleteTrue.
Delete