Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King

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[[File:Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King Cathedra - Hamilton, ON.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The [[cathedra]] of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, Ontario|Bishop of Hamilton]] atop a marble altar. The altar was added in 1981 during renovations.]]

[[File:Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King Cathedra - Hamilton, ON.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The [[cathedra]] of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, Ontario|Bishop of Hamilton]] atop a marble altar. The altar was added in 1981 during renovations.]]

The cathedral interior is pure 13th century English Gothic. Two kinds of limestone grace its walls and pillars: Indiana limestone and Ontario Credit Valley limestone. Its vaulted ceiling, with gold bosses, is a direct copy of [[Norwich Cathedral]] in England. It also has seating for over 1000 parishioners in the nave and 200 in the sanctuary area, with television flat screens installed on the side Indiana limestone columns for blind spots. The left side altar with its magnificent large painting of Christ's entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, contains the holy oils in three gold urns. The right side altar contains a massive painting of the Nativity Scene and a mosaic of the Eastern Catholic Churches: Our Lady of Perpetual Help. A large 88 ton marble ciborium, sometimes erroneously called a baldachino, in the shape of a crown, the symbol of a royalty and kingship, graces the north end of the cathedral over the tabernacle. Although this is not a normal feature of Gothic architecture, its Gothic design blends in perfectly with the architectural style of the cathedral. The major patriarchal basilicas in Rome, namely, St. Peter's, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran Cathedral and St. Mary Major, all have a ciborium [baldachino] over their altar of sacrifice.

The cathedral interior is pure 13th century English Gothic. Two kinds of limestone grace its walls and pillars: Indiana limestone and Ontario Credit Valley limestone.<ref name="ConStr">{{cite news |last1=Wall |first1=Don |title=Hamilton cathedral gets $3.5-million facelift |url=https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/projects/2017/08/hamilton-cathedral-gets-35-million-facelift-1026396w |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Daily Commercial News |date=16 August 2017}}</ref> Its vaulted ceiling, with gold bosses, is a direct copy of [[Norwich Cathedral]] in England. It also has seating for over 1000 parishioners in the nave and 200 in the sanctuary area, with television flat screens installed on the side Indiana limestone columns for blind spots. The left side altar with its magnificent large painting of Christ's entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, contains the holy oils in three gold urns. The right side altar contains a massive painting of the Nativity Scene and a mosaic of the Eastern Catholic Churches: Our Lady of Perpetual Help. A large 88 ton marble ciborium, sometimes erroneously called a baldachino, in the shape of a crown, the symbol of a royalty and kingship, graces the north end of the cathedral over the tabernacle. Although this is not a normal feature of Gothic architecture, its Gothic design blends in perfectly with the architectural style of the cathedral. The major patriarchal basilicas in Rome, namely, St. Peter's, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran Cathedral and St. Mary Major, all have a ciborium [baldachino] over their altar of sacrifice.

Each of the presidential chairs and sanctuary choir stalls have pelicans carved in solid oak as arm rests. The pelican is an ancient symbol of self-sacrifice and redemption. If the mother pelican cannot find food for its babies, it bites its breast and feeds them with her own blood. This is a symbol of Christ shedding His blood for us, dying on the cross.

Each of the presidential chairs and sanctuary choir stalls have pelicans carved in solid oak as arm rests. The pelican is an ancient symbol of self-sacrifice and redemption. If the mother pelican cannot find food for its babies, it bites its breast and feeds them with her own blood. This is a symbol of Christ shedding His blood for us, dying on the cross.

Beneath the main church, as accessed by a side door next to the [[rectory]] is McNally Hall, which was renovated in the early 2000s. Named for the fifth Bishop of Hamilton – [[John Thomas McNally]] – the builder of the cathedral basilica. The Marian Chapel, used for daily Mass, is located in the basement. A choir rehearsal room, kitchen and washrooms are all located near McNally Hall.

Beneath the main church, as accessed by a side door next to the [[rectory]] is McNally Hall, which was renovated in the early 2000s. Named for the fifth Bishop of Hamilton – [[John Thomas McNally]] – the builder of the cathedral basilica. The Marian Chapel, used for daily Mass, is located in the basement. A choir rehearsal room, kitchen and washrooms are all located near McNally Hall.

==See also==

==See also==