St. Dunstan's Basilica
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Why go
- An English Gothic interior inspired by St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
- Bishop MacEachern’s restored horse-drawn vessel and snowshoes, displayed inside.
- Skyline-defining spires on historic Great George Street, near Province House.
- Elaborate design and High Victorian Gothic Revival architecture recognized as a National Historic Site.
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 12:00, 13:00 – 16:00Show all
Don't miss
- Altar and altar screenThe altar rises 37 feet; the separate 44-foot altar screen holds 23 statues of saints and angels.At the altar
- Rose windowA German-crafted rose window spans 14 feet.Inside the basilica
- Gospel writer carvingsCarvings above the outer doors show the four Gospel writers, Gothic lettering and their symbolic creatures.Above the outer doors
- Angel imagesNearly 300 angel images appear in stained glass, the Stations of the Cross, lighting and gilded pillar foliage.Inside the basilica
Know before you go
- Opening hours — Monday to Friday: 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00.
- Opening hours — Saturday and Sunday: 08:00–17:00.
Interesting facts3
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Smaller ceiling bosses carry five floral and cross emblems associated with First World War victory, representing Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy.
Church History | St. Dunstan's Basilica Parish -
Island Catholics and local Protestants contributed to building the basilica.
Basilique-cathédrale Saint-Dunstan - Wikipedia -
The basilica is named for St. Dunstan, an Anglo-Saxon saint from Glastonbury.
St. Dunstan's Basilica - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Architect François-Xavier Berlinguet designed the stone cathedral for a congregation seeking a larger church. Basilica status later marked the Diocese of Charlottetown’s centenary.
- 1721Two priests began a Catholic mission serving Charlottetown’s early French settlers.
- 1758The mission’s first church, at Port la Joye across the harbour, was destroyed.
- 1816A wooden church dedicated to St. Dunstan was built on the present site; it later became the cathedral when the diocese was established.
- 1843A larger church replaced the wooden cathedral.
- 1896The cornerstone was laid for the third of four cathedrals on the site.
Show all
- 1897–1907The original stone cathedral was built.
- 7 March 1913Fire destroyed the cathedral, six years after its dedication.
- 1913–1919Architect J. M. Hunter and James Metcalfe and Company rebuilt the burned cathedral’s walls; the present stone building was completed in 1919.
- 1919The fourth cathedral was completed, then the Maritimes’ largest and most fire-resistant cathedral.
- 14 June 1929Pope Pius XI raised the cathedral to Minor Basilica status.
- October 1980Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau delivered the eulogy at the state funeral of Veterans Affairs Minister Daniel J. MacDonald.
How to get there
- On footAt 45 Great George Street, between Charlottetown Harbour and the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
Sources: St. Dunstan's Basilica - Wikipedia · St. Dunstan's Basilica Parish · Church History | St. Dunstan's Basilica Parish · Kathedralbasilika St. Dunstan - Wikipedia · Basilique-cathédrale Saint-Dunstan - Wikipedia · THANK YOU, PARISH FAMILY! | St. Dunstan's Basil… · checked 1 Oct 2026
- Website
- stdunstanspei.com/
- Phone
- +1 902-894-3486
Questions and answers
Is St. Dunstan's Basilica an active parish?
Yes. It is a Roman Catholic parish community centered on the Eucharist.
Why were the bells at St. Dunstan's Basilica removed?
Bells installed in 1928 were later removed because of structural concerns with the bell tower.
Who chose the original chapel's name at St. Dunstan's Basilica?
Archbishop Plessis chose the name Saint-Dunstan for the first chapel.
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