CHARLOTTETOWN — An official self-guided audio tour has been released for Charlottetown, PEI’s St. Dunstan’s Basilica, inviting locals and visiting pilgrims of hope to better understand the history of the church’s spiritual life and historical richness during this Jubilee year.
The audio tour meticulously highlights 27 unique stops of the basilica in chronological order, unpacking the significance of the century-old landmark in a way never done before.
The project was spearheaded by parishioner Gwen Chevarie, who produced and developed the audio tour with research assistance from Fr. Blair Bernard. Visitors are able to access the tour on their smartphones, allowing them to experience the finer details of the awe-inspiring basilica.
Chevaire explained that St. Dunstan’s Basilica, as the diocesan cathedral, a national historic site since 1990 and as a designated Jubilee church for 2025, attracts up to 500,000 visitors annually. The audio tour was created to provide an official guide to experience its beauty, history and spiritual significance for the community and tourists alike.
With the help of Bernard and her family, inspired by the audio tour approach of European landmarks, Chevaire began working on the project in January, fully backed by Charlottetown Bishop Joseph Dabrowski.
“Once we picked Your Audio Tour as the platform, we thought of Fr. Bernard’s two books, Things That Are Above: Volume One and Two, and he gave us permission to use his material. Those books contain the history and meaning of the architecture, all the scriptural and theological principles, and so (Bernard) became our theological consultant; he was the one who made sure we had all our facts straight,” she explained.
Using the material, Chevaire condensed the content into the 27 chronological stops seen on the virtual walking tour. Her husband, an amateur photographer, took photos of the corresponding stations, while her son, an audio producer, created the audio files narrated by University of Prince Edward Island religious scholar Ariana Patey.
The stations cover the entire scope of the basilica’s architectural elements, their history and spiritual magnitude. Selected stops include the Holy Trinity doors, the sanctuary, the stained-glass rose window, the shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the cathedral bells and the Casavant pipe organ.
Chevaire discussed the balancing act of incorporating elements that showcase both the structure’s unique Gothic revival architectural style, as well as elements more directly related to the spirituality of the seat of the Diocese of Charlottetown.
To her, parishioners and locals who may have an appreciation of St. Dunstan’s as a holy place may not know the finer details of the building’s history, and visitors who may be in awe of the building itself may not be aware of what it means to the history of Catholicism in Charlottetown. The tour sheds light on both of these realities, making it approachable for all visitors.
“ When you look at the city skyline, you immediately see the spires of St. Dunstan’s as they are the highest point of the skyline, the most visible landmark in the city. While Gothic architecture is known for soaring towers, carved windows and stained glass, this place is a sermon in stone where every detail has meaning,” she said.
“When you walk through the main Trinity doors, it’s like entering the Holy City, and the Gothic architecture draws one to walk up with wonder. My favourite part of the tour is seeing the people walk through the doors, look up and just be stunned and in awe of the beauty here.”
In addition, St. Dunstan’s ceiling design is a reflection of the Catholic Church in PEI as a whole, sailing through history with Christ at the helm, similar to the anchor surrounding a chalice, representing us anchored in Christ and the Eucharist.
Despite debuting in May, the free audio tour is already approaching 10,000 visitors, seeing an average of anywhere from 100 to 350 views per day.
Dabrowski has reflected on the project, sharing his joy as the tour fosters a space for curiosity and contemplation, building on this year’s Jubilee theme of pilgrimage and hope.
“This audio tour encourages not just the exploration of the basilica, but also a moment of quiet reflection and an invitation to be curious. In an age where technology brings distance across cultural, historical and general distances, the tour creates an open and inclusive space for those who wish to learn and be inspired,” he told The Catholic Register.
As producer and developer, Chevaire too is encouraged by the positive feedback of the tour, describing the stirring interest she sees in users as they explore one of Canada’s 27 basilicas.
“We have always welcomed the chance for visitors to ask questions regarding our history, the architecture and the significance of what they see, and while you can have one greeter who says hello to a group of people, this tour puts the official interpretation into the hands of everybody who walks through the door,” she said.
“We see people’s hearts become stirred, which is an invitation from the Holy Spirit and the intention of the original architects of these Gothic cathedrals. People are curious, and they don’t know exactly what’s missing, and so when they feel that stirring, it’s just so beautiful to see.”
To explore the tour online, visit youraudiotour.com.
