Early Gothic Revival – St. Mary’s Cathedral

September 28, 2017 BuiltHalifax

St Mary's Cathedral Basilica is the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop in Halifax. Located on the corner of Spring Garden Road and Barrington Street, the initial construction of the church occurred between 1820-1830. Catholics were not permitted to build a church in Halifax until 1783, presumably in an attempt to prevent large numbers of…Read More

The Founding of Halifax

September 26, 2017 BuiltHalifax

Halifax was founded in 1749 as a result of Louisbourg being handed back to the French in 1748. The American colonies, led by Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts, wanted a buffer between them and the French, as did the Board of Trade and Plantations, led by Lord Halifax, whose job it was to advise the…Read More

Georgian Architecture in Halifax 1749-1840

September 25, 2017 BuiltHalifax

The Georgian style of architecture is very common in early Halifax buildings. The style's name is derived from the period it was most popular, during the reigns of Kings George I, George II, George III and George IV – roughly the period between 1720 and 1840. The style, however, is also frequently mixed with Palladian…Read More