The Story of the Chimney Cross

When Joanne Varen was young, her father would tell a story about the chimney stack at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. When they were going to mass, or walking down Spring Garden Road, he would point it out, proudly telling her how he built it himself.

Joanne’s father, Guiseppe Innocente arrived in Nova Scotia from Vedelago, Italy sometime around 1916. After working in the mines in Glace Bay, he moved to Halifax to take a bricklaying course. Over the years, he worked on many bricklaying projects around the city.

One such project was for Father Martin, Pastor of Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. When Guiseppe’s work on the Basilica chimney was almost complete, he consulted with Father Martin. He had the idea to build something special into the chimney’s brick work – a white cross that would be seen by parishioners, locals and visitors as they walked by the Basilica. Father Martin was very pleased, and gifted Guiseppe with one of his special Italian cigars in thanks.

“My father was so proud of that work. He told me the story to make sure that when he was no longer here, I would look at the cross and think of him. And I do, as do my children and grandchildren. That’s why the white cross means so much to me.”

- Joanne Varen
Halifax, Nova Scotia

“My father was so proud of that work. He told me the story to make sure that when he was no longer here, I would look at the cross and think of him. And I do, as do my children and grandchildren. That’s why the white cross means so much to me.”- Joanne VarenHalifax, Nova Scotia

“My father was so proud of that work. He told me the story to make sure that when he was no longer here, I would look at the cross and think of him. And I do, as do my children and grandchildren. That’s why the white cross means so much to me.”

- Joanne Varen
Halifax, Nova Scotia