1899What is a 'Cathedral Cross'?
The St. James' Cathedral Cross, located in the park surrounding the Cathedral Church of St. James in downtown Toronto, stands as a unique war memorial commissioned by the Anglican Cathedral and designed by renowned architect Henry Sproatt. Erected specifically for the 1924 Remembrance Day services, this "preaching cross" commemorates parishioners who died in the First World War, with the names of 48 fallen men inscribed at its base. Unlike the typical Cross of Sacrifice, Sproatt chose to reflect the Cathedral's Gothic Revival style, making the memorial architecturally distinctive. In 2025, the St. James' Cathedral Cross marks its 101st anniversary, continuing to serve as the centerpiece of Toronto’s annual Remembrance observances.
