Great Fire of Toronto (1849)
The Great Fire of Toronto of 1849, April 7, 1849, also known as the Cathedral Fire, was the first major fire in the history of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Much of the Market Block, the business core of the city, was wiped out, including the predecessor of the current St. James Cathedral. The 1831 building of the Toronto City Hall and St. Lawrence Market south of King was damaged and was torn down.
King Street looking west from Jarvis Street prior to 1849. All buildings to the right of the tree were destroyed by the fire. The first building on the left, the former City Hall, was damaged as were some of the buildings to the west.
1831 City Hall and market building at King and Nelson (Jarvis)
Area of cathedral fire in 1849
Cathedral Church of St. James after 1849 fire
Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
The Cathedral Church of St. James is an Anglican cathedral in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the location of the oldest congregation in the city, with the parish being established in 1797. The church, with construction beginning in 1850 and opening for services on June 19, 1853, was one of the largest buildings in the city at that time. It was designed by Frederick William Cumberland and is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture.
Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
View of King Street, with the church in the background. The building was the second church to be built there.
The current church building, c. 1890s
The funeral for Ted Rogers was held at the church in 2008
