I love visiting and sharing about churches online! I do niche travel and make every trip a pilgrimage in search for the most beautiful churches wherever I go, as I find churches are highly underrated.
After the Notre Dame fire, I feel that my work in posting photos of churches around the world has been a living museum of them, so people may enjoy them before they visit, seeing them as they are now, and viewing them as an armchair tourist or a historic place in the future.
These are just 20 of a few lesser-known unique churches I’ve visited within a one year period. In some cases, the local cathedral isn’t the only place to see these beautiful buildings! On top of that, the people and events happening will often add to its beauty.
St. Edward the Confessor Church in Winnipeg. It was between two regular Sunday Masses which were filled up. I enjoyed this building more than both Roman Catholic Cathedrals in the city.
The chapel at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton is a hidden gem and only open to the public for Mass once a month.
Every year on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, there is a procession of the statue around the community. Children dress up as the three saints which were part of the history behind this Catholic Marian apparition.
This church in Strome, Alberta is only open once a year (and privately booked for weddings). During the annual Mass, there is a blessing of the graves in the graveyard by the church.
St. Paul’s Basilica is Toronto’s oldest Catholic Parish community church. It’s not hard to get to by streetcar, but most people only visit St. Michael’s Cathedral a short walk from here.
This Most Holy Redeemer Church in Detroit was a definite surprise. There are many gorgeous and historic churches in Detroit.
The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Detroit is a rare octagonal shape which was common in early Christian church designs. A sight to see!
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa is one of the most beautiful basilicas I’ve been to in Canada. The vaulted roof reminds me very much of the Major Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.
St. Mary & St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church is the only Coptic Orthodox church in Edmonton, and it’s in my own community of Mill Woods! So many incredible places of worship where I live. Here I attended their celebration of Coptic New Year in September.
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is a Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague. But they have some lovely modern stained glass windows all over the church, including some featuring Canadian saints. Here is another stained glass there where the Infant of Prague replica is located.
St. Joseph’s Basilica in Edmonton is the cathedral in my own city. It is also the only minor basilica in all of Western Canada. It isn’t the most beautiful church in my city though. This image was taken on the evening of a priestly ordination.
St. John the Baptist Church in Polska, Alberta is only open once a year in this ghost town. Lovely painted interior is rare for Roman Catholic Churches in Alberta. This church is over 100 years old.
St. Charles Church in north Edmonton is a more modern design, but the facade is quite striking, especially from the Anthony Henday ring road nearby.
I’m glad to have been the first to post photos of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Google Maps. It’s pretty much as rural Alberta as it gets. Many of these churches all over Alberta.
While this is definitely the simplest church on the whole list this year, this first cathedral for the Diocese of St. Albert (now Archdiocese of Edmonton) has historical significance as the oldest building in all of the province of Alberta.
My first time stepping into First Presbyterian Church in downtown Edmonton didn’t disappoint. The beautiful organ and its sounds aren’t hidden at the back like most churches, but front and centre, adding to a whole different experience.
St. Agnes used to be known unofficially as the ugliest church within the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton. Not anymore after its renovations.
Stumbled across Holy Name Parish church while in Toronto’s Greektown for some baklava. Unfortunately it wasn’t open, but what an interesting facade!
Sts. Vladimir & Olga Cathedral (Ukrainian Catholic Church) in Winnipeg is missed often as people visit the facade ruins of St. Boniface Cathedral. This is the most important church in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada as it is the home of the Archeparchy! It’s got stained glass of all the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedrals across the country!
All Saints Catholic Church was a quaint little church I visited for Christmas. Tight knit community and a lovely interior in the middle of rural PEI down East.