'Opening the space to the creatives,' London's Anglican Cathedral will continue to be a place of worship, but also a location for community events
London's oldest church has a very new look.
The leadership at St. Paul's Cathedral says it's all about making a space for creativity and fostering new connections with the community.
Two things stand out in the re-furbished interior of the Anglican cathedral, the first is that the traditional large oak pews are all gone.
Kevin George is Dean of Huron and Rector of St. Paul's Cathedral.
'The church was built for a day when parishioners really were meant to sit in straight rows, put in their place and listen to the voice of the big guy up there, or whatever. That's not who we are anymore.'
George told CTV News the pews in St. Paul's were designed to hold about 700 people, but many services now attract about 150 people, or less.
George said it's important for people to worship in a way that's comfortable and welcoming.
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St. Paul's Cathedral in London re-imagined as a multi-use space (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
'With the pews removed, we can now situate our chairs together. People can talk together; they can pray together. They can hear one another sing.'
According to George, the change also means the cathedral can now be a multi-use space.
'Opening the space to the creatives, to people in our community who are looking for a venue on that venue ladder where they can start with five, six or seven hundred people. They can come in here and perform, they can collaborate, they can record. We can have visual art here. And it's a space that can be used for all kinds of different purposes, banquets and trade shows. It's another space, 8,000ft² in the very heart of London, where people can gather. And that, to us, is exciting.'
The other very noticeable change is a labyrinth in the middle of the floor. Twenty-eight feet in diameter, the labyrinth is reminiscent of labyrinths found in many European churches.
It's made entirely with wood inlay, including an elaborate medallion in the middle.
Parishioner Roland Vishnu sponsored the design and installation of the labyrinth.
According to St. Paul's leadership, labyrinths differ in mazes, in that they offer a clear path and are designed to promote spiritual contemplation and calm.
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St. Paul's Cathedral in London re-imagined as a multi-use space (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
The labyrinth in St. Paul's was designed and installed by Jason Vivash, owner of Paris, Ontario-based J.L. Vivash Custom Wood Floors.
'This was the biggest, largest piece of medallion that I've ever made. And it is absolutely the most unique one I've made so far,' said Vivash.
Originally the space in the middle was going to be plain wood, but Vivash offered to make it something more, and at no additional cost. He told the St. Paul's leadership, 'I would like to create something in the centre of this. So, let's work together. Give me some of your ideas, and let's create something incredible, something that would honor the artisans that we see in this building.'
The entire cost of the renovation, including new HVAC and air conditioning equipment, is $1.9M, with about $800,000 still to be raised as part of the Dreams and Visions fundraising campaign.
George is confident they'll reach their goal, and he says the focus is on connecting with the community.
'A lot of what I heard when I took on this role only a year and a half ago was 'the door is always locked, we can't get in.' Well, we pride ourselves now in making sure the doors are open every day.'
The Anglican Church of Canada will hold its 44th General Synod at RBC Place London next week, and the transformed St. Paul's cathedral will be featured prominently at that event.
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