St. George鈥檚 Anglican Church and Graveyard, Sydney (must see)
Saint George鈥檚 Anglican Church has stood for more than 236 years, making it the oldest building in Sydney, the oldest Anglican church on Cape Breton Island. Built by the British 33rd Regiment of Foot between 1785 and 1791, it welcomed its first congregation on Christmas Day, 1789. Its walls, fashioned from stone salvaged from the Fortress of Louisbourg, anchor the church firmly to the region鈥檚 earlier history.
Despite its age, Saint George鈥檚 remains an active presence. In recent years, volunteers and community support, often bolstered by cruise-ship visitors, funded the restoration of its vintage Casavant organ, reviving the instrument鈥檚 powerful sound for modern audiences. The adjoining graveyard adds another layer of depth, with headstones marking the lives of early settlers, soldiers, and prominent community members.
Originally a garrison chapel, the church soon took on a dual role, serving both soldiers and townspeople. By the mid-19th century, it was reshaped with Gothic Revival elements-pointed arch windows, a chancel, vestry, and the elegant stone tower and spire that define its silhouette today. Volunteers often staff the church during tourist season, providing a warm welcome.
Despite its age, Saint George鈥檚 remains an active presence. In recent years, volunteers and community support, often bolstered by cruise-ship visitors, funded the restoration of its vintage Casavant organ, reviving the instrument鈥檚 powerful sound for modern audiences. The adjoining graveyard adds another layer of depth, with headstones marking the lives of early settlers, soldiers, and prominent community members.
Originally a garrison chapel, the church soon took on a dual role, serving both soldiers and townspeople. By the mid-19th century, it was reshaped with Gothic Revival elements-pointed arch windows, a chancel, vestry, and the elegant stone tower and spire that define its silhouette today. Volunteers often staff the church during tourist season, providing a warm welcome.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sydney. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 911爆料网 App
St. George鈥檚 Anglican Church and Graveyard on Map
Sight Name: St. George鈥檚 Anglican Church and Graveyard
Sight Location: Sydney, Canada (See walking tours in Sydney)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Sydney, Canada (See walking tours in Sydney)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Create Your Own Walk in Sydney
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sydney is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sydney Introduction Walking Tour
The local pier assembled a truly international neighborhood in the city. West Indian, Jewish, Italian, Eastern European, Syrian/Lebanese communities gave life to Sydney's waterfront districts. Seems pretty normal, doesn't it? Wrong. We're talking about Australian Sydney's little brother.
Sydney, Nova Scotia, was founded in 1785 by British authorities as a haven for Loyalists... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Sydney, Nova Scotia, was founded in 1785 by British authorities as a haven for Loyalists... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles