Notre-Dame Basilica 1

Walking through the streets of Montreal contains views of Gothic and Romanesque structures rising into the sky, adorned with stained-glass windows that fill peaceful spaces with light and colours. Steeples mark the way for pilgrims and bell towers chime in rhythm among the sounds in the city. Millions flock to Montreal annually to visit the rich collection of historic monuments that has helped form the landscape of this vibrant city. Century-old churches and cathedrals co-exist with modern architecture creating a very European flavour in a Canadian city. In 1995, the Quebec Government implemented a conservation project to restore religious heritage artifacts, to which Montreal's diverse population has added continuously. Today, temples, synagogues, mosques and churches from many denominations are included in the city scape. It is the architecture and art of these structures that draws visitors, regardless of religion or faith. Although hundreds of churches dot the streets of Montreal, four are considered major tourist attractions. They include Notre-Dame of Montreal Basilica, Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, St. Joseph's Oratory and St. Patrick's Basilica.

NOTRE DAME OF MONTREAL BASILICA

Notre Dame is located in the historical district known as Vieux Montreal, or Old Montreal, and is renowned for its elaborate interior and Gothic Revival architecture. It was designed by Protestant James O'Donnell, who later converted to Catholicism and is buried in the church's crypt. Approaching the facade, two symmetrical bell towers rise high into the sky, decorated with rose-shaped and pointed windows and arches. The west tower contains a massive bell nicknamed Le Gros Bourdon, or the Great Bell, which weighs more than 11,000 kg (24,250 lbs) and is rung only on special occasions. Moving inside, a striking blue ceiling dotted with gold stars welcomes visitors. Designed by architect Victor Bourgeau, other colours used include reds, purples, silvers and golds.

	Lighting of the Old Montreal - Notre-Dame Basilica 2

It would be 100 years before the basilica could install stained glass windows, crafted in Limoges, France. Olivier Maurault, parish priest at the time, chose the themes and individuals to be depicted in the 11 panels, with scenes from Montreal's history including the arrival of Jacques Cartier through to the construction of Notre-Dame. Such scenes were selected to commemorate the centennial of the basilica (1829) as opposed to more traditional biblical material, often used in the past as a way to communicate the church's teachings to the illiterate public.

The main altar and pulpit are extravagant, complete with life-size wooden carvings and ornamentation, behind which is the Sacre-Coeur Chapel (Sacred Heart Chapel), destroyed by fire in 1978 and later re-built. Many weddings are performed in this chapel as well as the main basilica including the marriage of Quebec-born pop singer, Celine Dion to manager Rene Angelil. Other notable events include the state funerals of hockey legend, Maurice “Rocket” Richard and former Canadian prime minister, Pierre Elliot Trudeau. During services, a massive, Casavant Freres pipe organ fills the basilica with music, and choral and organ performances are conducted for the public.

ST. PATRICK'S BASILICA

St. Patrick's Basilica 3

St. Patrick's Basilica, a historic monument and heritage building, is found in downtown Montreal and is tied closely to the Irish Canadian community. Other churches couldn't accommodate the increase of Irish immigrants to the region so it was decided a new house of worship needed to be built. Construction began in 1843 and on March 17, 1847 the first mass was celebrated. The designation of minor basilica was granted to St. Patrick's by Pope John Paul II in 1989. Basilica refers to a large and important church which is granted special privileges by the pope, the leader of the Catholic Church. A minor basilica is similar, only with fewer special rights.

Pierre Louis Morin and Father Felix Martin created the Gothic design, emphasized by its height, pointed arches and rising steeple, all drawing the eye upwards. Inside, the soaring ceiling causes a feeling of immensity. Interior artwork includes 150 oil paintings of the Saints surrounding the nave (or central aisle), many which were were created by Italian artist Patriglia, of which little is known. Wooden decor is prominent with ornate pine pillars, red Indiana oak pews and wooden panels adorning the pulpit. The pulpit is embellished with a pattern of Irish shamrocks and the French fleur-de-lis, representing the historical ties of the Irish community and Sulpician priests, a Catholic society originating in Paris and who founded Montreal. These priests educated the spiritual leaders of Irish Montreal for hundreds of years. Two memorials are found within, including pew 240, dedicated to Thomas D'Arcy McGee, a statesman and Father of Confederation and a plaque commemorating the baptism of French poet Emile Nelligan.

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral 4

MARY, QUEEN OF THE WORLD CATHEDRAL

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral is located in downtown Montreal and is the third largest church in Quebec, modeled after the famous Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. Originally known as St. James Cathedral, it was renamed in 1955 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. Work began in 1875 to replace a previous cathedral that was burned by a devastating fire.

The cathedral is built of stone in the shape of a Latin cross, and is topped by a copper dome. Its facade is composed of pilasters and columns that are Baroque in nature, and is adorned with statues of patron saints, donated from the 13 parishes of Montreal including St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick. A large triangular pediment emphasizes the Renaissance-theme of the design. Inside is a smaller version of Bernini's baldacchino of St. Peter's, the magnificent bronze altar from which the pope gives his sermons. Created by J. Arthur Vincent and lavished with red copper and gold leaf, Mary, Queen of the World's altar also creates a visual impact. Other famous works include paintings by Georges Delfosse, illustrating the church's history in Montreal and a statue of Mary, Queen of the World by Sylvie Daoust. Several side chapels, areas of worship devoted to a particular purpose, are found within the cathedral including the wedding chapel, funeral chapel of bishops and the tomb of Bishop Ignace Bourget, the man who pushed for the cathedral's construction.

On March 7, 2000, members from an extreme feminist group vandalized the cathedral by spray-painting profanities on the altar, littering the interior with items specifically chosen to insult the church, all the while chanting anti-Catholic slogans. By-standers inside stopped the mob from doing further damage. A spokesperson for the group said the act was a protest against the church's oppression of women and by targeting Mary, Queen of the World, the Montreal archdiocese (Catholic headquarters) it would make a greater impact. The church did not file any criminal charges.

Saint-Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal 5

ST. JOSEPH'S ORATORY

St. Joseph's Oratory is situated in the Mont Royal district of Montreal and is the largest church in Canada. The church's history began with the construction of a small chapel in 1904, dedicated to honour St. Joseph of Nazareth, the step-father of Jesus, spearheaded by a monk named Brother Andre. Brother Andre became known for his healing abilities, such as curing the blind and crippled, crediting St. Joseph for these miracles. Pilgrims began to flock to the church and a wall of crutches is on display from those that were healed, able to walk again. To accommodate the influx, the church was enlarged and eventually an entirely new basilica was built and completed in 1967. In 1982, Pope John Paul II beatified Andre, recognizing the miracles he performed.

St. Joseph's facade has an Italian Renaissance style with rounded pediments adorning the windows. The most notable feature is the massive dome, second largest in the world behind St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Brother Andre died before seeing the end of its construction. Every year, pilgrims climb the 283 steps in prayer from the base or take a shuttle bus to the top entrance. The interior decor includes elongated wooden statues of the apostles by Henri Charlier as well as a wooden crucifix that stands at the main altar in front of an elaborate mosaic. A grand organ is found in St. Joseph's Oratory and select musicians are welcomed to play concerts. A reliquary is found within the church museum that contains the heart of Brother Andre, which he requested to be placed in the oratory as a symbol of protection. A candle-lit hall leads to a side chapel that houses the revered monk's tomb.

Stained Glass Window, St. Patrick's Basilica 6

OTHER RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS

Montreal's diversity can be seen throughout the city in various neighbourhoods and buildings. Some of the main religious buildings include the Islamic Centre of Quebec, providing Muslims and Islamic organizations an opportunity to further their faith and meet the needs of Muslims living in the community with such services as traditional funerals and marriages. The Congregation Temple Soloman, also known as Beth Schloime or Bagg Street Shul, is one of the original synagogues remaining in the old Jewish district known as the Main, built in 1925. Other historic churches include St. George's Anglican Church in downtown Montreal, Christ Church Cathedral, located above an underground shopping centre and many more.