St. Mary's Basilica
St. Mary's Basilica
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Neighbourhood: Downtown Halifax
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
225 reviews
Excellent
105
Very good
102
Average
16
Poor
0
Terrible
2
roaming_kiwi58
Christchurch, New Zealand2,826 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We always enjoy the architecture of churches. We walked to this church from pier 22 where our cruise ship was docked, then continued on up to the gardens and the citadel.
The church is worth a visit if you are investigating Halifax.
The church is worth a visit if you are investigating Halifax.
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stirling B
Ottawa, Canada619 contributions
Jul 2023
St Mary’s Basilica is a beautiful church located in downtown Halifax. The interior of the church features simple yet elegantly appointed with lovely stained glass. Nice place to visit when in the area.
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PavlaPavla
Chrudim, Czech Republic6,540 contributions
Jul 2023
This basilica is not very big, it is simply decorated inside, but there are beautiful arches in Georgian architecture style, Gothic doorways and really nice stained glass windows.
The church was badly damaged in the explosion at Halifax on 6 December 1917. All the stained glass windows were shattered by the force of the explosion. The paintings on the walls were damaged by small pieces of glass and later suffered water damage from a blizzard that entered the church through broken windows. However, work on the renovation of the paintings did not start until June 2019.
The church was badly damaged in the explosion at Halifax on 6 December 1917. All the stained glass windows were shattered by the force of the explosion. The paintings on the walls were damaged by small pieces of glass and later suffered water damage from a blizzard that entered the church through broken windows. However, work on the renovation of the paintings did not start until June 2019.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dan j
Port Coquitlam, Canada724 contributions
Jun 2023
We happened across the church on our way from the Citadel down to the harbour boardwalk. It has an unmissable spire and lovely architecture.
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RETf
31 contributions
Jan 2023
This early Halifax, Roman Catholic church is a great place to stop in and reflect on the architecture and life itself. Afterwards, the Spring Garden rd area is a great walk!
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timbo3765
Pershore, UK661 contributions
Nov 2022
Stunning architecture inside, well worth the walk up the hill. Mind boggling how these places were built years ago without diggers and cranes etc.
Written 14 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KathleenR_28
Port Dover, Canada6,358 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
My friends and I heard mass at St. Mary’s. Compared to other churches I’ve seen elsewhere in the world, this is quite simple. It’s a national historic site and is located right in downtown Halifax. Its architecture is Norman-Gothic. It was originally made of wood and has been replaced with concrete sometime in 1820.
Written 9 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelo
3 contributions
Aug 2022
We popped in during the summer Aug 2022, lovely building is fully restored! Thank you!
The effort to restore is appreciated
The effort to restore is appreciated
Written 18 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeanMurphy2020
Orlando, FL7,548 contributions
Jun 2022
This architectural and religious site is an experience. The original wooden chapel was constructed in 1784, the cornerstone of what is now the Cathedral was laid in 1820 and opened for services in 1829 but was not consecrated until 1899. The Basilica-Cathedral houses a small museum that displays relics of saints, including the chasuble worn by Pope John Paul II during his 1984 Halifax visit. The Casavant Frères pipe organ is the altar backdrop. Stained glass windows were made in Germany. The Gothic Revival colonnade and arched ceiling are awe-inspiring.
Services were held when I visited, so interior photos were not allowed. The exterior is simplistic and belies the magnificent interior. That day, the front steps were covered by children’s shoes, symbolic of indigenous people forced into “Residential Schools.” The Old Burying Ground—first cemetery in Halifax—is across the street from the Basilica-Cathedral.
Services were held when I visited, so interior photos were not allowed. The exterior is simplistic and belies the magnificent interior. That day, the front steps were covered by children’s shoes, symbolic of indigenous people forced into “Residential Schools.” The Old Burying Ground—first cemetery in Halifax—is across the street from the Basilica-Cathedral.
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siera C
Windsor, Canada32 contributions
Mar 2021
Beautiful church mid 18 century Catholic Materpiece. Still well maintained. The Altar, cieling and stained glass work all beautiful and worth starring. Walk thr grounds and admire how they built it then
Written 9 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen M
46 contributions
Would like to attend a mass when we go in April? What time are the services
kat_ledermueller
Toronto, Canada21 contributions
Lord's Day Mass
Saturday @ 4:00pm
Sunday @ 7:30am, 10:30am & 5:00pm
Weekday Mass
Monday - Friday @ 12:15pm & 5:15pm
Saturday @ 12:15pm
alyson307
359 contributions
Is the Basilica within walking distance of where the cruise ships dock?
nwaynesworld
Nova Scotia1,848 contributions
15 +/- minute walk (1 +/- km). Some uphill walking. Worth the walk.
Glenn C
Dartmouth, Canada
I would like to visit this church with my wife,when are we able to do that?
James C
Pincher Creek, Canada11 contributions
Actually you can go inside anytime during the day; unsure about how late evenings. the big front doors may be locked but you go around to the side entrance of the church beside Taz Records and is always open. stunning inside but be sure all cell phones are off as a lot of serious prayers there all the time. no problem with cameras just maybe not take any pictures of prayers. enjoy your visit.
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Frequently Asked Questions about St. Mary's Basilica
- Hotels near St. Mary's Basilica:
- (0.17 km) Courtyard by Marriott Halifax Downtown
- (0.12 km) Four Points by Sheraton Halifax
- (0.24 km) Cambridge Suites - Halifax
- (0.21 km) Residence Inn by Marriott Halifax Downtown
- (0.27 km) The Hollis Halifax - a DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel
- Restaurants near St. Mary's Basilica:
- (0.04 km) 2 Doors Down
- (0.05 km) Niche Lounge
- (0.06 km) 2 Doors Down Bar and Bites
- (0.12 km) Cabin Coffee
- (0.14 km) Stubborn Goat Gastropub