For three days now, the weather has been fine for only an hour, just before sunset, and the sky over Montreal is dark and threatening – we’re expecting a storm.
Under cover of autumn winds, the city appears with the peculiar clarity of a half-sordid, half-pleasant light. The skyscrapers of downtown stand out in white and blue, the old buildings are dark grey and, between the trees, the steeples are a little lost but infinitely romantic.
When you think of Montreal, you don’t necessarily think of Europe’s Gothic cathedrals, gargoyles and Notre-Dame. But we do know that North America imported its most fervent lovers of architecture from the old continent and, given the space and resources, built some real beauties. But in Montreal, it’s all neo-Gothic.
We’ve taken a tour of the city’s finest neo-Gothic buildings, to see before the storm…
Neo-Gothic architecture
Neo-Gothic architecture, also known as Gothic RevivalArchitecture, is a style that originated in 18th-century England.
It is an interpretation of medieval Gothic buildings (12th-13th centuries), or rather a reinterpretation. All these buildings are ornamented churches – Romanesque, covered with rosettes, buttresses, gargoyles and stone-cut pinnacles.
Montreal’s neo-Gothic churches were built between the early 18th century and 1939.
“Montreal’s neo-Gothic “Architour
1 Notre-Dame Basilica
Where? 424 rue Saint-Sulpice
Construction of the basilica began in 1824, designed by New York architect James O’Donnell. The two 69-metre-high towers were added 20 years later by architect John Ostell. The towers were named Tempérance (east tower) and Persévérance (west tower).
In 1888, architects Henri-Maurice Perrault and Albert Mesnard built the Chapelle du Sacré-Coeur. Destroyed by fire in 1978, it has now been restored in a more modern style.
The star-spangled vault inside, the carved wooden colonettes and the facade (which is still under construction, but half-revealed at the moment) are a must-see for romantics and lovers of neo-Gothic architecture.
2 Saint-Pierre Apôtre Church
Where? 1201 rue de la Visitation
A beautiful neo-Gothic Catholic church built under the direction of Victor Bourgeau between 1851 and 1853, it takes its inspiration from Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn.
The portal is well known, ornamented with an arch pointing to a statue of St. Peter – and a 71.6m spire.
It’s worth visiting for the beauty (and near-perfect proportions) of its interior, and to gather beside the eternal flame in the Chapelle de l’Espoit, which has been burning since 1996 to honor the memory of HIV-AIDS victims.
3 Christ Church Cathedral
Where? 635 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
We often pass this Anglican church without looking at it, but it has one of Montreal’s most interesting neo-Gothic exteriors – with rosettes, gargoyles and details carved into the stone.
It was erected between 1857 and 1859 and based on 14th-century English country Gothic churches.
It was built by architect Thomas Scott to designs by British architect Frank Wills.
4 Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church, Westmount
Where? 375 Kitchener Ave, Westmount
This is the “newest” of Montreal’s neo-Gothic churches, and will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary (it was built in 1928).
5.église Saint-Alphonse d’Youville
Where? 570 Crémazie Boulevard East
This Catholic church was built between 1929 and 1931 by architects Eugène Saint-Jean and Louis-Napoléon Audet. The interior, with its white ceiling and stone arches, resembles the belly of a sea animal.
6.St-James United Church
Where? 463 rue Sainte-Catherine Est
This large Protestant church was built in the Gothic Revival style to plans by architect Alexander Francis Dunlop.
The church is famous for its organ, built by Casavant Frères. It was built by Wadsworth in 1888, then rebuilt by Casavant in 1938.
Enjoy your visit!