The first St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral was opened in 1832 and became the first Roman Catholic Parish church to be built in the Niagara Peninsula. Unfortunately, the first Roman Catholic Church was burned down by an arsonist in 1842. But, due to the construction of the second Welland Canal between 1842 – 1845, there were many Irish labourers in the area that helped build the second and current church in 1845. Moreover, the Church was there to serve the Irish labourers that were in the area and establish a community. Upon completion of the second Church, it was dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria in 1945.

In 1843, Construction on the second Church began and was officially built two years later in 1845. Additionally, in 1844, a commemorative stone in Latin was placed at the entrance of the Cathedral.

In 1958, a heraldic crest was designed for the church. The crest is divided into left and right halves which represent the Welland Canal, and then divided into top and bottom halves by the Grand River and Welland River (St. Catharines' two major rivers). Moreover, the crest includes a Celtic cross, the wheel of torture, a cluster of grapes, and a dove with an olive branch. Moreover, the blue background represents the sky (more specifically Heaven) and symbolizes the desire for peace with its neighbours in the United States of America, and within the local community, which is an area of Canada that has had a history of battles over the centuries.

Diocese of St. Catharines

Wheelchair accessible and handicapped parking

https://brocku.niagaragreenbelt.com/listings/25-churches/871-cathedral-of-st-catherine-of-alexandria.html

Diocese of St. Catharines. (n.d.). The Crest of the Diocese of St. Catharines. Retrieved from Diocese of St. Catharines: http://www.saintcd.com/about-us/the-crest-of-the-diocese-of-st-catharines/

Jackman, E. (n.d.). History of Our Parish. Retrieved from Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria – Diocese of St. Catharines: https://www.thecathedralinstcatharines.com/history