00:00The Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King is a Roman Catholic church in Hamilton, Ontario,
00:10Canada.
00:11The cathedral was consecrated on December 19, 1933.
00:15It is the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, and the Cathedral of the Diocese
00:20of Hamilton.
00:21The cathedral contains the cathedra, bishop's chair, of the bishop, the Most Reverend Douglas
00:26Crosby.
00:27The cathedral was raised to the status of a minor basilica in February 2013 by Pope
00:32Benedict XVI.
00:34On the south side of the bell tower is the cornerstone blessed by Bishop McNally, builder
00:39of the cathedral and fifth bishop of the diocese.
00:42It is a stone excavated from the Roman catacombs to symbolize the cathedral's unity with the
00:47ancient Christian church.
00:49The first generation after Christ.
00:52The cathedral is perched atop a hill overlooking Highway 403 leading in towards the rest of
00:57Hamilton and one traveling towards Oakville, Mississauga and Toronto.
01:02Christ the King Cathedral is close in proximity to the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District
01:06School Board administration offices, and the offices for the Diocese of Hamilton.
01:11The offices for the diocese are located just off to the side of the cathedral, next to
01:15the rectory.
01:17Activities Sunday Masses are usually celebrated by the parish rector, but occasionally, the
01:23bishop or guest priests will preside.
01:25The cathedral basilica is located atop a hill facing south.
01:29The southern King Street doors open up to a massive fine stone staircase leading down
01:33into the front parking lot.
01:35The pure Gothic bell tower, containing a carillon of 23 bells, is 165 feet high and visible
01:42from a great distance.
01:44The largest bell is called the Borden Bell, weighs 41 halves of a ton, and was donated
01:49by Prime Minister of Canada, R. Bennett, a friend of Bishop McNally.
01:54At night, the cathedral is illuminated by floodlights and creates an imposing sight,
01:58especially from the Hamilton Escarpment.
02:01The cathedral basilica is the mother church of the Diocese of Hamilton and is the home
02:05of many activities for the Roman Catholic community within the diocese.
02:10Parish organizations include the Knights of Columbus, Children's Liturgy, Social Committee,
02:15altar servers, cathedral ushers, Catholic Women's League, Extraordinary Ministers of
02:20Holy Communion.
02:22The Cathedral Choir which sings at the 11 a.m. Mass.
02:25The Tenor Bassmen's Choir which sings at the 9 a.m. Mass and the Cathedral Cantors which
02:30lead the singing at the 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday afternoon 4 p.m. Mass.
02:35There is also a Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council to assist the rector
02:39and the pastoral team in the administration of the parish.
02:43History William Russell Souter, architect, designed the Cathedral of Christ the King
02:47– Hamilton, 1931-3.
02:51Joseph Piggott was a construction giant who headed the family business that built Hamilton
02:55landmarks including City Hall, the Piggott Building, Copse Coliseum, and Christ the King
03:00Cathedral.
03:01Joseph Piggott was the head of the Piggott Construction Company of Hamilton which built
03:05and completed the building from 1930 to 1933.
03:09Christ the King Cathedral was somewhat damaged by fire in 1981 when an arsonist set fire
03:15to the confessionals near the side entrance of the church.
03:18There was damage done to the cork tile floor, the main pulpit, a stained glass window, the
03:23confessionals, and the side entrance to the cathedral.
03:27Extensive renovations were made to repair and update the church, which now has a new
03:31second marble altar cut from the original and various woodwork additions.
03:36The stained glass window depicting Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus was rebuilt by F.
03:41Meyer, who came out of retirement at the age of 85.
03:45It was reconstructed according to the original 1930 plan.
03:49The two marble side altars were also moved 25 feet back to increase the size of the chancel.
03:55A large marble floor in the chancel replaces the original cork floor and carpeting covers
04:00the nave.
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