I’ll bet you didn’t know Guelph had a B.A.C. That’s a Big Ass Cathedral. It’s right downtown and its proper name is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Or just the Basilica of Our Lady for short. If you want the brochure bit:

The Basilica of our Lady Immaculate has been a place of worship and reflection for over 125 years. The Basilica is constructed of local limestone in the Gothic Revival style. It towers over the Guelph community as a constant reminder of God’s love and a community’s resilience. Designated a National Historic Site, it is the most visited tourist destination in the city of Guelph.

After an intensive five phase restoration spanning many years, the restoration was completed in December 2014. There was a special dedication mass at the Church on December 8, 2014, and it was at this mass that Bishop Crosby announced that our Holy Father Pope Francis had elevated our church to the status of a Basilica in honour of its rich history and the importance of this parish in the Diocese of Hamilton and the City of Guelph.

In the fall of 2015, the Basilica of our Lady Immaculate was recognized for the restoration of the church. The Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals awarded their 2015 Award of Excellence to our Church. This is the largest respected collective of heritage professionals involved in the preservation of our national heritage properties. In November we received the Peter Stokes Award by the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.

You can read a lot more, and see professional pictures at their website.

I’ve been inside it exactly once, to listen to a chorus a friend was singing in.

This is a view from the parking lot.

And this is the view taken standing in the same spot as the first picture, but turned around and looking at beautiful downtown Guelph. Photos have a way of flattening hills. If you look over that hedge there are three steep flights of steps leading up to the cathedral. That street is a long way down.

Anyway, there’s your local tour. Drop by and visit anytime!