Westminster Abbey — Attraction in Mission

A Masterpiece of Modern Sacred Architecture

Stepping into Westminster Abbey Mission is like entering a living symphony of light, geometry, and space. The architecture is breathtaking—not only as a place of worship but as a triumph of design and structure.

The soaring ribbed concrete vaulting overhead creates a rhythm of arches and grids that feels both monumental and weightless, almost like a Gothic cathedral translated into modernist form. The structural clarity is remarkable: every line and curve guides your eye upward, emphasizing height, openness, and transcendence.

The stained glass windows are extraordinary—panels of gold, red, and sapphire blue that transform sunlight into a shifting canvas of color. At different times of day, the building itself seems to breathe with light, as warm yellows flood the sanctuary in the morning, and cooler blues soften the atmosphere in the evening. The interplay between light and raw concrete produces a spiritual atmosphere even beyond religious context—an architectural dialogue between materiality and the immaterial.

The bas-relief sculptures integrated into the structural piers anchor the soaring verticality with moments of narrative intimacy. Their placement and scale create a tactile counterpoint to the vast spatial volume, drawing you closer while still respecting the grandeur of the whole.

Every angle reveals something new—whether it’s the hypnotic ceiling grid unfolding like a honeycomb of stone, the suspended crucifix floating in perfect alignment with the nave, or the way colored light spills across the altar. It’s rare to find a building where every perspective feels intentional, harmonious, and deeply moving.

For anyone interested in architecture, design, or simply the power of space to elevate the human spirit—this is a place not to be missed. Westminster Abbey Mission is more than a church; it is a masterclass in 20th-century modern sacred...

I went with my sister, Ramona to the Easter Vigil on Saturday night up at the Mission Monastery. The Westminster Abbey stood silently in the night, encircled by mountains and evergreens shielded from the world. From the moment of arrival, we could sense in the stillness of the crowd the depth and solemnity of the occasion. When the resonant voice of Abbot John Braganza broke the silence, you could still hear a pin drop in the crowd. Then the procession wound into the church and the service began. What a memorable evening to mark this holy occasion. The chanting of the monks was almost ethereal. Abbot John led the service in a very impacting way to commemorate the pivotal occasion of Jesus's crucifixion and consequent resurrection into Eternal Life. The cathedral was alight with goodwill, peace, elegance and the infinite love through Christ our Lord. It was the most touchingly beautiful service I have...

There is just…something about this place. I was brought up Catholic, although I no longer practice. This place holds a special place in my heart. Generally. When I , an overwhelming sense of peace comes over me. There have been other places that provide the same sense of peace and comfort, but none are related to religious places. Over the last 30+ years, I have visited Westminster Abbey with friends and family as a means to give them a ‘tour’ of some of the nicer sites and sights the lower mainland and Fraser valley have to offer and I’ve always brought them here. Perhaps selfishly, knowing I will find peace amongst the chaos that is showing others around, perhaps simply because it is a pretty place to visit.

Regardless of your motives, I recommend visiting Westminster Abbey and its grounds. Nothing super fancy, just...