Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

Welcome to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, a place of history, faith, and community in the heart of Old Quebec.

Whether you are here to admire the beauty of its Georgian architecture, explore its deep royal and military connections, or simply find a moment of peace, we hope you feel at home in this sacred space.

Since its consecration in 1804, this cathedral has stood as a witness to centuries of change, serving as a place of worship, reflection, and cultural heritage. It remains the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Quebec, a vibrant community that continues to welcome people of all backgrounds.

As you walk through these historic walls, may you sense the spirit of those who have come before us and the ongoing life of this cathedral today. If you have any questions, our team is happy to share more about its rich history and spiritual significance.

Thank you for visiting, and may your time here be meaningful and inspiring.

- The Very Reverend Christian Schreiner, Dean of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

Christian was born in Germany and then spent part of his childhood in Thessaloniki/Greece until the family moved back to Munich. He grew up in the Lutheran Church of Bavaria where he was ordained on a mountaintop in 2004 after having studied theology at the universities of Munich and Heidelberg.

From 2004 to 2006, Christian did an ecumenical internship at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City; here he was married to Esperanza Rada in May 2005. They moved back to Germany in the summer of 2006 where Christian served as a pastor in a parish close to the Bavarian Alps.

In early 2008, the Parish of Quebec chose Christian as their new rector. To make this happen, Christian was ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Canada on the feast of St John the Baptist on June 24th, 2008. This was a historic move by the Lutheran Church of Bavaria and the Anglican Church of Canada since this ordination was regarded as an extension of his previous ordination.

Built in a prominent location in Québec City, its grand architecture made it a focal point in Upper Town, with its spire standing as the tallest structure for many years, reflecting the cathedral’s enduring significance.

We are now in an Anglican Cathedral, but it’s important to know that there’s been a spiritual and religious presence on this site since almost the begging of the colony. When, Notre-Dame de la Recouvrance Church, the “predecessor” of the Roman-Catholic Cathedral next door, burned down in 1640, people needed a place to worship and they did this here on the grounds, inside the former Maison des Cents-Associés, the first company of New France. There a plaque on the fence on des Jardins Street taking about this house. After this, in the late seventeenth century, the Récollets Fathers built the monastery and chapel here. When the monastery burned down, the Anglicans decided to build their Cathedral here. 

But back to the Récollets Fathers. We are on des Jardins Street, meaning Garden Street. The reason for the name is that we are right on the corner was the junction of three conventual gardens, the Ursulines, right in front, the Jesuits where now City Hall and the Récollets right here. 

Construction began in 1799 under the direction of military officers William Robe and William Hall, who took inspiration from Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in London. At the time, many military officers, particularly those from aristocratic backgrounds, pursued the arts and architecture as a leisure activity between wars. Some, like Robe and Hall, became talented amateur architects, applying their skills to projects such as this cathedral.

Their attention to detail is especially evident in the ceiling design, which was carefully crafted to fit a perfect sphere, demonstrating both their precision and appreciation for architectural form.

The roof’s initial design couldn’t withstand Quebec's winters and was adapted in 1818 to a steeper, French-inspired style. The Cathedral boasts the province’s oldest preserved interior, setting it apart from the nearby Notre Dame de Québec Basilica, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1922. 

Originally, Cathedral box pews were rented out, numbered, and had lockable doors. The most expensive were near the chancel and pulpit, while those unable to afford high rents sat further back or in the side aisles. Pew rentals were abolished in 1899.

The original pews were about 40 cm (15 inches) higher than today. This served two purposes. First, it helped retain heat in winter. The Cathedral had only four stoves in its corners, providing insufficient warmth. Parishioners placed heated stones inside the pews at the start of services, and with closed doors and higher walls, the enclosed space stayed warmer.

Second, higher pews minimized distractions. Worshippers couldn’t see others around them, such as a lady with an elaborate hat, and were forced to focus solely on the preacher and the word of God. This design also fostered personal meditation.

In the early to mid-19th century, the pulpit was lowered and moved to the left to emphasize the altar.