Saint George’s Chapel

A Neo-Gothic Chapel Gets a Respectful Update with Powerful Materiality

Though B|A's work is always contemporary, we tend to rely on classic materials and features to instill our projects with a sense of timelessness. With this project we take timelessness to a whole new level.

St. George’s Chapel is a small vestry within St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto. The Gothic Revival church, completed in 1853, had suffered a fire necessitating a restoration and revitalization of the little chapel. Fortunately, the stunning architectural features of the double-height space – an ornate ceiling and stained glass windows – remained intact. Our design complements these features with a contemporary layer that enriches a long history.

Though the cathedral is home to an Anglican congregation, the chapel is dedicated to the Royal Regiment of Canada. The unit encompasses many faiths, so it is important that the space be welcoming to all. With the stained-glass windows already adding ample colour and religious imagery to the space, B|A took a minimalist approach with the updated features.

Replacing grand gestures with powerful yet quiet materials, we demarcated the sanctuary with an elegant chancel rail of dark bronze. An altar made from a thick slab of Calacatta marble with heavy grey veining anchors the space. The stone’s patterns are echoed by the cloudy grey smudges in the onyx panel on the wall above. Framed in more dark bronze, the back-lit stone is embellished with a delicate cross of the same material. A decidedly modern intervention, this subtle expression of faith forges a strong connection to the stained glass thanks to an LED panel that lends a subtle glow to the stone, much as the sun illuminates the windows.