The Church on Church.

For me, one of the focal points of the Verdun borough on the Island of Montreal, has always been Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs church on the corner of Wellington and De l'Église streets. One of the tallest non residential building in this part of the city, its two bell towers are always the silhouette highlight of colorful sunsets. I managed to get out yesterday and get a couple of exterior shots of this landmark and, as they have open houses often, I hope to return in the future to catch the evening sun coming in through the stained glass panes.


The following history of the church was borrowed from:
http://www.uquebec.ca/musique/orgues/quebec/ndsdouleursv.html

The church

The parish of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs (Our Lady of Seven Sorrows) is detached from St. Paul parish in 1899 after the church has been destroyed by fire. In the prospect of paying for rebuilding a chuch that is located far from their home, some parishioners requested a new parish be established and to build their own church. Bishop Paul Bruchési, archbishop of Montreal, agreed with their request within one month.

The parish commissioned Joseph Venne, a well known architect for his excessive enthusiasm, so that he will, one more time, show his talents. According to the style of the day, the church is huge and magnificent. The architect, who is known for mixing various architectural styles, builds a Baroque styled interior and a Néo-classical styled exterior.

The barrel vault was painted by Louis-Euatache Monty. The altars, in Carrara marble and stucco, were produced by Daprato at the cost of $32,000, a huge amount of money for the time. The high altar measures 42 feet (12.8m) high by 25 feet (7.6m) wide and weighs 10,000 pounds (4536kg). The Virgin statue and the angels are also made of marble. The Last Supper and the chapiters of the pillars are of the same gilded and engraved bronze used on the doors of the tabernacles. The mosaics are made of Florentine glass and Vatican enameled glass.

The construction debt was completed repaid by 1924. On the same year, a drive to cover the cost of acquiring and installing bells in the towers yields an extra $15,000. The bells were cast by Paccard, in France. An 18-bell carillon is installed in the bell towers.

In 1929, magnificent glass windows depicting the mysteries of the Rosary were installed in the sanctuary.

The front steps are a regular congregation place of locals out for a stroll or running errands any day of the week. I really hope I do get the chance to photograph the interior soon.