Walking Through History: A Tour of Charlottetown’s Treasured Artifacts of the Past

Our journey began at Port Charlottetown, where we took in the stunning harbor views before heading towards the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber Of Commerce

At the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, we learned about the area’s attractions, including historic landmarks, beaches, and nature trails. The chamber also provided us with a map and a detailed guide of area churches, which was incredibly helpful.

Dundee Arms Inn

As we made our way through the charming streets, we stopped to admire several iconic landmarks, including the beautiful Dundee Arms Inn a historic hotel that dates back to 1903. It was named after the Dundee Arms Castle in Scotland and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since.

Kirk of St. James

Afterward, we ventured to the Kirk of St. James, an awe-inspiring church that’s steeped in history. With a construction date dating back to 1822, it’s regarded as one of the oldest churches in Charlottetown.

Its remarkable architecture and enthralling history left us spellbound, and we were mesmerized by the elaborate details of the church’s interior design.

The church, established in 1874, boasts the prevalent Gothic Revival style that was sought-after in the 19th century for places of worship. It was ingeniously crafted by William Critchlow Harris, a distinguished Canadian architect and pioneer of the Gothic Revival style, who was also responsible for designing various noteworthy edifices in Canada, including other churches and the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.

For many decades, St. James Presbyterian Church has housed remarkable stained-glass windows created by various skilled artists. These inspiring works of art beautifully depict scenes from the Bible and Christian history.

In 1898, a fire damaged the interior of the St. James Presbyterian Church, including the organ and ceiling. But thanks to the swift action of the Charlottetown Fire Department, the structure was saved. The community rallied together to repair the damage and enlisted the help of skilled craftsman and builder, William C. Harris, who designed and installed a new ceiling. Harris also contributed to the design and construction of other notable buildings in the area, like the Prince Edward Island Legislature building.

All Souls Chapel

During our trip, we stopped by the All Souls Chapel, constructed in 1888 as a tribute to Father George Hodgson, the inaugural priest-incumbent of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Inside, we were greeted by a kind lady who invited us in through a back door to appreciate the stunning paintings by Robert Harris.

Upon entering, we were immediately in awe of the magnificent grandeur of the chapel’s interior. The intricate architectural details and fascinating stained-glass window above the door were breathtaking, having withstood the test of time.

All Souls’ Chapel was designated a heritage resource by the City of Charlottetown in 1979 and became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.

St. Peter’s Cathedral

As a first-time visitor to Charlottetown, I was excited to explore the city’s landmarks and just beside All Souls Chapel stood St. Peter’s Cathedral. Founded in 1869 as a result of the Tractarian (or Oxford Movement), the cathedral boasts beautiful stained-glass windows, impressive architecture, and vestments not commonly found in Canadian Anglicanism.

St. Peter’s Cathedral was built in an area once called West Bog, which was considered disreputable. Despite this, the cathedral’s impressive design and craftsmanship stand out, making it a unique and beautiful piece of history.

Upon entering, we were immediately taken aback by the modern appearance of the cathedral. The intricate stained-glass windows were truly impressive, and we were thrilled to learn more about the cathedral’s history through pamphlets found in the lobby.

We were especially intrigued to discover that the High Altar, complete with an Altar Stone, is still in its traditional position, and we couldn’t help but notice the statues of the four evangelists and our Blessed Lord. Learning about the church’s unique qualities and fascinating history was a delightful experience.

Government House

We then continued our walking tour through the charming streets of Charlottetown, eventually making our way to the Government House, a grand mansion said to be surrounded by beautiful gardens. However, as we approached the main gate, we noticed that the entrance was blocked off, and a sign indicated that the house was closed due to storm damage caused by Hurricane Fiona.

Despite the setback of the Government House being closed, we remained undeterred and continued on with our walking tour.

Beaconsfield Historic House

We crossed the street to admire the beautiful Beaconsfield Historic House, a charming building that tells the story of Charlottetown’s rich history.

Although they were also closed for tours, we were still able to appreciate the building’s exterior and read the historical markers out front, which helped us to better understand the significance of the house and the role it played in the city’s history.

Streets of the West Waterfront

As our leisurely walk-through Charlottetown continued, we couldn’t resist the pull of the West Waterfront area. Along the way, we noticed several work crews canvassing the streets and cleaning up the aftermath of the Hurricane.

Despite the damage caused by fallen trees, we stumbled upon some distressing examples that we couldn’t resist photographing as they were a reminder of the power of nature.

St. Dunstan’s Basilica

Our journey now led us to the magnificent St. Dunstan’s Basilica, a historic structure that has been a place of worship for Catholics in Charlottetown for over a century. The basilica was built in 1919 and is a stunning example of the city’s rich history.

As we entered the basilica, we were immediately struck by the grandeur of its interior design. The intricate details of the architecture were simply breathtaking, and we couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the ornate decorations and the peaceful atmosphere of the basilica. The awe-inspiring stained-glass windows were simply stunning, and we were fascinated by the play of light and color in the interior.

We spent some time admiring the stunning beauty of the altar, which was hand-carved from marble, and appreciated the delicate details and exquisite craftsmanship that went into its creation. The altar was the centerpiece of the basilica, and we were moved by its magnificence and significance.

Port Charlottetown

As we made our way back to Port Charlottetown after admiring the beauty of St. Dunstan’s Basilica, we couldn’t help but reflect on the architectural gems we had discovered during our afternoon walk. Despite the recent hurricane closing down most other sites, we were grateful for the opportunity to explore these historic churches.

Exploring Charlottetown on foot was an excellent way to immerse ourselves in the town’s captivating atmosphere and learn about its fascinating history. I would highly recommend this walking tour to anyone seeking a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon in Charlottetown.

Cruise Port: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Tour Name: Walking Through History: A Tour of Charlottetown’s Treasured Artifacts of the Past

Cruise Line/Ship: Holland America Nieuw Statendam

Tour Operator: Self-Guided

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