See The Blazing Yule Before Us

Here we have more of the Christmas trees spread throughout the ground floor at the Chateau Laurier.

With Boughs Of Holly

The Chateau Laurier hotel has a tradition each year. Christmas trees are decorated, sponsored by local companies and organizations, and the public can vote on which one they like the most. This is done as a charitable venture, benefitting the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario's foundation. This year music seemed to be a prevailing theme among a number of them, spread around the Chateau lobby and the nearby corridors. I'll show you more of them over the next two days.

A Basilica Sanctuary

Merry Christmas!

Today I take you inside Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, the foremost church in the National Capital. It is the seat of the Catholic archbishop, and the largest church to be found here. The first church at this site was erected in 1832. The larger church would be started a few years later, built and expanded on during the 19th century, and designated a minor basilica in 1879. State funerals have been held here, and the Canadian government has designated it as a national historic site. It is open to visits during the day, aside from scheduled masses.

Doors And Wreaths

For today and tomorrow I'm going with church images. I'll be largely offline for the next couple of days, but doing what I can to catch up. 

I'm starting with wreaths on the front entrance of Centretown United Church.

Here we have St. John The Evangelist Anglican Church on Elgin Street downtown.

Down the street is the Francophone Protestant church, Eglise Unie St. Marc.

And back up the street is Knox Presbyterian Church.

Heading into Sandy Hill and the campus of the University of Ottawa, I stopped by the Catholic Paroisse Sacre Coeur. The current building replaces one that was destroyed by fire. 

Its small side chapel consists of wonderful stained glass panels.

Up the street is an English speaking Catholic parish partnered with Sacre Coeur. This is St. Joseph's.

And a close walk away is St. Paul's Eastern United Church, with one of  its entrances decorated for the season.