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Markham • Steve BenjaminsA Cathedral In The Suburbs

In the middle of a Markham suburb sits The Cathedral Of The Transfiguration.

The cathedral was built by Stephen Roman— a confident, autocratic mining executive. (Roman was known to put the chair behind desk on a platform to appear taller.)

Today the cathedral is inactive— and a bit run-down.

This plaque commemorates Pope John Paul II’s visit to the cathedral in 1984.

Security cameras are everywhere— though you are free to walk the grounds.

We were not able to visit the inside— but this photo of the interior is from Wikipedia.

In the early 2000’s, Roman’s daughter developed a suburb around the Cathedral.

The suburb is called Cathedraltown and the design was inspired by European cathedraltowns.

Many of the streets have unusual names.

A central commercial plaza leads up to the cathedral.

The plaza is home to a few shops— including a coffee shop.