GENERAL TOPICS

Are church services regularly held here?

No, the chapel was deconsecrated by the Roman Catholic Church as part of the school closure in 1973. While regular services are not held in the interfaith chapel, it and other areas of St. Ann’s Academy are available for public and private functions on a rental basis. The most popular functions are wedding ceremonies. We also host memorial services, and baptisms. If you are interested in attending a church service, the Society of St. Pius X offers a traditional Latin mass at the chapel at St. Ann’s Academy on the last Sunday of each month at 4 pm (www.sspx.ca/index.htm). The closest Roman Catholic services are at St. Andrew’s Cathedral (www.standrewscathedral.com). The Downtown Churches Association can be reached at www.victoriabc.com/services/churches.html

Can I arrange to have my child attend school at St. Ann’s Academy?

No, St. Ann’s Academy closed as an operating school in 1973. Following several years of use as an office building, the facility closed in the 1980’s. After significant renovations, it opened as a heritage site and office building in 1997. In this new form, it is an office building for the provincial government Ministry of Advanced Education. A small portion of the building is open to the public as a museum and interpretive center dedicated to the history of this nationally designated historic site. If you are interested in the local independent catholic schools, please contact (www.cisdv.bc.ca ). Some other local independent schools may be reached at:
Glenlyon-Norfolk School (www.glenlyonnorfolk.bc.ca)
St. Margaret’s School (www.stmarg.ca)
St. Michael’s University School (www.smus.bc.ca)
Shawnigan Lake School (www.sls.bc.ca)
Society for Christian Schools in BC (www.scsbc.ca)

Do you have records of those who attended St. Ann’s Academy?

There are school records for St. Ann’s Academy and its predecessors going back to 1858. These records are maintained by former teaching staff of the school, the Sisters of St. Ann. (www.sistersofsaintanne.org/bc)

Are the Sisters of St. Ann still around?
Yes, the Sisters of St. Ann are still in Victoria. They have about 80 members living in Victoria at approximately 10 locations. They continue their ministries including education, health care, environment, sponsorship, retreats, holistic Christian healing, hospitality, social issues, prison chaplainry, advocacy, literacy, archives, and arts/crafts and music. Their local website is www.sistersofsaintanne.org/bc/ Their headquarters in Lachine, Quebec also has a website: www.soeursdesainte-anne.qc.ca/

I am looking to contact a Sister of St. Ann, can you help me?

The Sisters of St. Ann have not lived or worked at St. Ann’s Academy since 1973. They may be reached by contacting their provincial office at www.sistersofsaintanne.org/bc/

WEDDINGS

Can the chapel be used for a wedding ceremony?

Yes – please visit our Wedding Section

How many guests can come to a wedding?

125-150 can comfortably sit in the chapel for a service. With rented chairs, a similar number can be accommodated in the Novitiate Garden. The Academy Green can be used for larger ceremonies of up to 500 with rented chairs.

Do you have to be Roman Catholic to be married here?

No, the chapel was deconsecrated by the Roman Catholic Church as part of the school closure in 1973. Today, the chapel operates as an interfaith space. About half of the weddings held here are civil ceremonies lead by a government appointed marriage commissioner and the others are lead by a variety of religious officials.

We are Roman Catholic. Can we be married here?

If you have made the appropriate preparations for a Roman Catholic marriage, you may be able to have a Roman Catholic marriage at St. Ann’s Academy. While the chapel at St. Ann’s Academy has a Roman Catholic heritage and is restored to its 1920’s appearance, it was formally deconsecrated as a Roman Catholic space in 1973. It operates as an interfaith chapel today. As it is not a parish church, the chapel does not have a resident priest. If you are to have a Roman Catholic ceremony at St. Ann’s Academy, you must consult with the Roman Catholic Church regarding your plans. www.rcdvictoria.org. Attached is a letter from the Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria which may help with your planning.

Does St. Ann’s have organists to play the organ?

St. Ann’s Academy does not have an organist on staff however we can provide a list of organists who can be hired to play the organ at St. Ann’s.

Can a wedding ceremony be held in the garden?

Yes, events of up to 200 standing or 150 sitting can be held in the Novitiate Garden to the southeast of the chapel. Larger events can be held in the Academy Green which is located to the west of the formal drive near Humboldt Street.

Does St. Ann’s provide chairs or tents for outdoor weddings or events?

We have 50 folding wooden chairs which are stored in the chapel. These may be taken into the gardens. Additional chairs should be rented if required.
Commonwealth Special Events www.commonwealthtents.com
Island Displays www.islanddisplays.com
Petersen’s Party Rentals & Sales www.pedersens.ca

OTHER USEFUL LINKS / Link exchanges

Wedding Resources
Weddings West. Ca Online Directory www.weddingswest.ca
Vancouver Island Bridal Guide www.vibridalguide.ca

Wedding Planners
Royal Victorian Weddings www.royalvictorianweddings.com
Social Affairs www.social-affairs.com
Victoria Wedding and Events Services www.victoriaweddings.ca
Watabe Weddings Canada (Japanese) www.watabe-wedding.co.jp
Weddings & Dreams www.weddingsanddreams.com

Photographers
Francis Litman www.franceslitman.com
John Archer www.archerphotography.com
Photography by Penn www.royalvictorianweddings.com
Destrubé Photography www.destrube.com