In Victoria, like the rest of Canada, people are free to practice a religion of their choosing without fear of violence or persecution. As a country that values religious freedom, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees our ability to think and express our own opinions, which includes religion.
Canada has no official religion. Instead, we have a diverse population that has immigrated from all over the world and practices many different religions. If you practice religion, Victoria has numerous places of worship across its 13 municipalities.
In this article, we’re going to highlight the churches, temples, mosques and other places of worship in Victoria, including:
- 49 Christian churches and chapels, including:
- 13 Roman Catholic churches
- 11 Protestant churches
- 12 Anglican churches
- 7 Baptist churches
- 4 Orthodox churches
- 2 Mormon churches
- 1 Muslim mosque
- 4 Hindu or Sikh temples
- 3 Jewish synagogues
Christianity
Christianity has the largest religious representation across the country, including in Victoria. Under the umbrella of Christianity, the religion is organized further by various branches. All Christians gather and worship in a church, and depending on the denomination, may also worship in a cathedral or chapel.
Roman Catholic Churches
Holy Cross
Holy Cross Catholic Parish is near the University of Victoria campus. Holy Cross serves about 350 families and holds Mass service on Saturdays at 4pm and Sundays at 9am.
Address: 4049 Gordon Head Road in Saanich
Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima Church is led by Father Eduardo Da Silva Santos, who hosts Mass in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Mass is held on every day but Monday.
Address: 4635 Elk Lake Drive in Saanich
Our Lady of the Assumption
Our Lady of the Assumption is a small church in the Saanich Peninsula with an attached cemetery, the final resting place for both Roman Catholic parishioners and Tsartlip First Nations people.
Address: 7742 West Saanich Road in Central Saanich
Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary is led by Father William, who hosts English Mass on Tuesday evenings, weekday mornings, and multiple times on the weekend.
Address: 2936 Irwin Road in Langford
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Our Lady Queen of Peace holds multiple English Masses per week, plus additional Masses in Hungarian and Latin.
Address: 849 Old Esquimalt Road in Esquimalt
Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart is a Catholic Church in the Christmas Hill area that is vital to several international communities in Victoria, including Korean, Polish, Syro-Malabar, and Vietnamese.
Address: 4040 Nelthorpe Street in Saanich
St. Jean Baptiste
St. Jean Baptiste provides Canadian francophones the opportunity to live their Catholic faith freely in French. French Mass is hosted on Sundays at 1:30pm.
Address: 307 Richmond Avenue in Victoria
St. Andrew’s Cathedral
Aside from being a popular downtown landmark and tourist attraction, St. Andrew’s Cathedral is a gothic-style church that holds daily Mass and confession.
Address: 740 View Street in Victoria
St. Elizabeth’s
St. Elizabeth’s is Roman Catholic Church and a First Nations Ministry. It’s part of the Saanich Peninsula Parish (along with Our Lady of the Assumption), and hosts English Mass.
Address: 10030 Third Street in Sidney
St. Joseph the Worker
St. Joseph the Worker is led by Alfredo Monacelli and hosts daily English Mass along with reconciliation and adoration services.
Address: 753 West Burnside Road in Saanich
St. Leopold Mandic
Named after a Croatian Capuchin friar, St. Leopold Mandic is a place of worship for those of Croatian Catholic faith, hosting Sunday service in Croatian.
Address: 4081 Gordon Head Road in Saanich
St. Patrick’s
St. Patrick’s Parish serves roughly 650 Victoria families, holding Masses in English and Vietnamese. They also have an adoration chapel and host confessions every Friday.
Address: 2060 Haultain Street in Oak Bay
St. Rose of Lima
St. Rose of Lima is led by parish priest Scott Whittemore, who holds English Mass every day except Mondays, along with adoration on Fridays.
Address: 2191 Townsend Road in Sooke
Protestant Churches
Coastline Church
Located across from the Save on Foods Memorial Centre, Coastline Church has been operating on the Island since 1923. With another location in the Westshore, Coastline hosts in-person and virtual services.
Address: 845 Caledonia Avenue in Victoria
Grace Lutheran Church
Grace Lutheran Church welcomes all walks of life, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, hosting Sunday service at 10am.
Address: 1273 Fort Street in Victoria
St. Peter’s Protestant Chapel
St. Peter’s Protestant Chapel is one of two Victoria chapels serving the Canadian military members living in and around CFB Esquimalt.
Address: 307 Virago Crescent in Esquimalt
United Church of Canada Churches
The United Church of Canada is the largest Protestant Christian denomination in Canada, and the largest of all denominations behind only the Roman Catholic Church.
James Bay United Church
James Bay United Church is a downtown Victoria church that promotes diversity and inclusion and is very active in the community via a thrift shop, community lunches, study groups and jazz nights, among other events.
Address: 511 Michigan Street in Victoria
Oak Bay United Church
The United Church of Canada’s Oak Bay branch hosts worship and song every Sunday at 10am. Everyone is welcome, and each session is streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
Address: 1255 Mitchell Street in Oak Bay
Esquimalt United Church
Esquimalt United Church is a progressive Christian community hosting worship services every Sunday at 10:30am. They take the Bible seriously but not literally, using music, laughter and listening for the Spirit to bind their community together.
Address: 500 Admirals Road in Esquimalt
Centennial United Church
Made of beautiful old brick and rusticated sandstone from 1891, Centennial United Church is led by Brian Pankratz and hosts in-person worship Sundays at 10:55am.
Address: 612 David Street in Saanich
Fairfield United Church
Fairfield United Church is a progressive Christian community church, welcoming all members of the LGBTQ2I+ community. Sunday service begins at 10am with coffee and tea served at 9:30am.
Address: 1303 Fairfield Road in Victoria
Broad View United Church
Broad View United Church welcomes everyone regardless of sexuality or gender identity. They offer 3 different types of worship on Sundays including intimate chapel service and live stream Sundays.
Address: 3703 St. Aidans Street in Saanich
Gordon United Church
Like all affirming members of the United Church of Canada congregation, the Gordon United Church welcomes everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or politics.
Address: 935 Goldstream Avenue in Langford
Cordova Bay United Church
Cordova Bay United Church hosts in-person and online worship services at 10am every Sunday. Everyone is welcome, and they even offer a special children’s worship.
Address: 813 Claremont Avenue in Saanich
Anglican Churches
St. John the Divine
St. John the Divine hosts a Parish Eucharist on Sundays at 10am and Choral Evensong on Sundays at 4:30pm. They also have a food bank open Tuesdays and Fridays.
Address: 1611 Quadra Street in Victoria
St. Matthias
St. Matthias is an inclusive church towards Oak Bay led by Reverend Colleen Lissamer. Primary worship happens Sundays at 10am, plus smaller and more informal celebrations are held on Thursday mornings.
Address: 600 Richmond Road in Victoria
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is a beautiful old downtown church that’s open every day of the week with services taking place at 4 separate times on Sundays.
Address: 930 Burdett Avenue in Victoria
The Abbey Church
The Abbey Church is a Sunday afternoon worshipping community with ‘open table’ communion and special services for children and youth.
Address: 932 Balmoral Road in Victoria
St. Barnabas
St. Barnabas is a vibrant Anglo-Catholic community here in Victoria. With a sung Mass and Sunday School, Sunday worship services begin at 10:30am.
Address: 1525 Begbie Street in Victoria
St. Dunstan’s
Located in the neighbourhood of Gordon Head, St. Dunstan’s holds in-person worship services at 9:30am on Sundays.
Address: 1806 San Juan Avenue in Saanich
St. George the Martyr
St. George the Martyr welcomes everyone regardless of where they’re at on their spiritual journey. Located near the University of Victoria campus in the neighbourhood of Cadboro Bay.
Address: 3909 St. George’s Lane in Saanich
St. Mary the Virgin
St. Mary the Virgin holds spoken service at 8:30am in their chapel every Sunday, plus a Eucharist with music service at 10am, which is live streamed as well.
Address: 1701 Elgin Road in Oak Bay
St. Luke’s
Located in the Cedar Hill neighbourhood attached to a historic cemetery, St. Luke’s hosts worship services at 8am and 10am on Sundays, plus 10:30am on Thursdays.
Address: 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Road in Saanich
St. Peter & St. Paul
St. Peter & St. Paul is a thinking church that values reason, thought, and diversity. With over 4,000 members, worship is hosted every Sunday at 10am.
Address: 1379 Esquimalt Road in Esquimalt
St. Philip
St. Philip hosts coffee time, Bible study, and more intimate services mid-week along with their standard Sunday service at 9:30am.
Address: 2928 Eastdowne Road in Oak Bay
Lutheran Church of the Cross
Lutheran Church of the Cross is an inclusive Anglican church that holds in-person and livestreamed Sunday service at 10am. You can also tune into their morning prayer on Tuesdays at 8am.
Address: 3787 Cedar Hill Road in Saanich
Baptist Churches
Central Baptist
Central Baptist welcomes Canadian and international students, families, youth, and the elderly. Sunday service is held every Sunday at 10:30am.
Address: 833 Pandora Avenue in Victoria
First Baptist
First Baptist, Victoria’s Japanese church, is a small church in the North Park neighbourhood. Worship service is every Sunday at 11am.
Address: 877 North Park Street in Victoria
Emmanuel Baptist
Located near the University of Victoria, Emmanuel Baptist is home to a Chinese Ministry and hosts Sunday service at 10:30am.
Address: 2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road in Oak Bay
Gateway
Gateway Church is located in the Royal Oak neighbourhood. In-person services are held on Sundays at 9 and 11am. Kids Church is also available at the same times, along with separate space for pre-school and pre-teen ages.
Address: 898 Royal Oak Avenue in Saanich
Capital City Baptist
Capital City Baptist gathers every Sunday and Thursday for morning and evening worship services, adult discipleship, Sunday School, and Bible study sessions.
Address: 1507 Glentana Road in View Royal
Saanich Baptist
With both Saanich and Central Saanich locations, Saanich Baptist hosts services every Sunday, with separate Ministries for prayer, kids, youth, worship arts, and more.
Address: 4347 Wilkinson Road in Saanich and 7577 Wallace Drive in Central Saanich
Grace Baptist
Grace Baptist is an independent Baptist congregation that focuses on the biblical image of the church as a body. Sunday worship is at 10am followed by Bible study, Sunday school, and afternoon service at 1:15pm.
Address: 2731 Matson Road in Langford
Mormon Churches
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Victoria is home to 2 different churches of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One is located at 2990 Quadra Street and the other at 701 Mann Avenue. Both are open daily from 9am – 6pm.
Orthodox Churches
Saint Sophia Orthodox
With Russian roots, Saint Sophia Orthodox got started in the late 1970’s but officially incorporated in Victoria in 1986. Regular service is held Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 10am.
Address: 195 Joseph Street in Victoria
Greek Orthodox Church of the Saviour
Located across from Saanich Commonwealth Place, Greek Orthodox Church of the Saviour was founded when the first Greeks arrived in Victoria at the turn of the century. Sunday service begins at 10am.
Address: 4648 Elk Lake Drive in Saanich
All Saints of Alaska Orthodox
All Saints of Alaska Orthodox is an English-speaking Eastern Orthodox church part of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Divine Liturgy begins at 10am every Sunday.
Address: 5363 Patricia Bay Hwy in Saanich
St. George Ukrainian Church
St. George Ukrainian Church fuses Ukrainian culture and heritage with Orthodox Christian faith. Bilingual services are held the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month plus feast days.
Address: 1100 Colville Road in Esquimalt
Muslim
The Muslim house of worship is known as the mosque, which evolved from the Arabic term masjid. There is just one mosque in Victoria (and Vancouver Island) – making it a vital piece of Canadian society and culture:
Masjid Al-Iman
Masjid Al-Iman is the Victoria Branch of the BC Muslim Association. Formed in 1993, Masjid Al-Iman has reached about 1,500 members. Located across from Crystal Pool, several events are hosted here such as Quran classes, Friday prayer, and the five daily prayers.
Address: 2218 Quadra Street in Victoria
Hinduism & Sikhism
Hinduism and Sikhism are religions from India that share many philosophical concepts but interpret some things differently. Hinduism dates back to prehistoric times, while Sikhism has been around for the past 500 years or so. Both Hindus and Sikhs gather, pray, and hold religious ceremonies at a temple.
Victoria Hindu Temple
Established in 1995, Victoria Hindu Parishad and Cultural Centre is open daily and offers ongoing activities and services such as Baal Mandir and Hindi classes.
Address: 1934 Cultra Avenue in Central Saanich
Khalsa Diwan Society
Khalsa Diwan Society of Victoria is a vibrant community that provides Punjabi classes, yoga classes, senior lunch gatherings and more to support the spiritual, cultural and physical well-being of the community.
Address: 1210 Topaz Avenue in Victoria
Punjabi Akali Sikh Temple
Punjabi Akali is a Sikh Temple located in the Quadra/Hillside neighbourhood of Victoria.
Address: 2721 Graham Street in Victoria
Gurdwara Singh Sabha Sahib
Gurdwara Singh Sabha Sahib of Victoria is a Sikh Temple located in the Gorge/Tillicum neighbourhood.
Address: 470 Cecelia Road in Saanich
Judaism
Jewish people worship in synagogues, also known as shuls or temples. At the synagogue, Jews not only worship, but also study, gather, host festivals and build community.
Congregation Emanu-El
Congregation Emanu-El is downtown Victoria’s synagogue, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. It’s the oldest synagogue building still in use in Canada. Shabbat services are held every Saturday at 9:30am.
Address: 1461 Blanshard Street in Victoria
Kolot Mayin Reform Temple
Kolot Mayin, “voices of the water”, is Victoria’s reform congregation. The shul was founded in 1988, and Shabbat services are held on Saturdays at 10am.
Address: 3636 Shelbourne Street in Saanich
Chabad of Vancouver Island
Chabad of Vancouver Island is a centre for Jewish life here on the Island. Some of the programs include Chabad Family Shul, adult education, youth programs, women’s events, Mikvah Chana, and more.
Address: 2955 Glasgow Street in Victoria
