Patronage of St. Joseph Cathedral

The Roman Catholic cathedral of Regina rises above the intersection of 13th Avenue and Garnet Street in the city's downtown, a big brick and stone church in the Romanesque Revival style, with rounded arches, strong towers and a commanding presence. It is commonly known as Holy Rosary Cathedral and is the mother church and seat of the Archdiocese of Regina, serving the Catholic community of south-central Saskatchewan. It was built in the 1910s, in the optimistic years when Saskatchewan was growing rapidly and its first major churches and public buildings were rising, and the scale of the church reflects the confidence of that moment.

Romanesque Revival, a style that borrows from medieval European churches, is characterised by round-headed windows, heavy masonry and a solid, fortress-like look. Here it gives the cathedral a sense of permanence amid the glass towers of the modern city. The exterior is built to impress, with a broad facade and a tall tower, and it is among the most prominent landmarks of the downtown skyline.

Inside, the cathedral's artistic features are its most memorable element. Stained-glass windows by the French artist Andre Rault, installed in the mid-20th century, fill the nave with colour and show scenes from the Gospels and the lives of saints. A large ceramic mural by Lorraine Malach, a contemporary Saskatchewan artist, adds a modern note. The pipe organ, a McGuigan Casavant instrument named for a former archbishop, dates from the 1930s, was renewed in the 1990s and is regarded as one of the finest in Western Canada. Organ recitals and concerts take place in the space when programmes allow, and the acoustics suit sacred music well.

Visitors are welcome to attend services. For those who prefer a guided look, and guided tours can be arranged, with admission by donation to the Cathedral Restoration Fund, which supports the care of the building. Tour times are limited, and it is advisable to contact the archdiocese to confirm the schedule, particularly outside the main tourist season. The cathedral remains a place of worship, so visitors should dress modestly and be quiet during Mass.

Travellers interested in religious art, architecture and local history will find the cathedral rewarding. It sits a short walk from the downtown shopping streets and Victoria Park, and the nearby Wascana Centre provides a quiet counterpart.