I’ve always admired Gothic Revival
architecture, as well as its antecedent, the Gothic style. The rich
architectural heritage of Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa includes many examples
of the style. Of these, three churches are especially notable: Basilique
Notre Dame de Montreal and St. Patrick’s Basilica in Montreal, and Notre-Dame
Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa. I am not a religious person, but I certainly
found visiting these instances of Gothic Revival architecture to be emotionally
stirring experiences. The sense of awe and reverence each of the trio evokes
transcends doctrine, canon, or faith.
The Gothic Revival style, with
its soaring heights, intricate stonework, and meticulous attention to detail,
offers much to admire. In large part, its appeal lies in its ambition—to lift
the human spirit, to rouse a sense of wonder. A characteristic design strategy
is to draw the eye upward, toward the heavens. The use of light as a divine
presence is another, with the didactic imagery of the colorful stained-glass
windows augmenting the church liturgy. Furthermore, Gothic Revival’s hierarchical
scaling, wherein patterns of decreasing size nest within self-similar features,
define points of geometrical and functional focus. The effect is fractal-like,
with symmetries populating scales of decreasing size. The levels of detail and
their perceptible mathematical harmonies cohere into emotionally fulfilling compositions.
The interior of Basilique
Notre Dame de Montreal, bathed in a serene blue and gold palette, is nothing
short of breathtaking. The starry ceiling replicates the night sky, offering a
glimpse of the infinite contained within the bounds of a finite, human-made
space. The ornate details, from the intricate wood carvings to the luminous
stained-glass windows, speak to an era when no detail was too small to be
perfected. The space prompts a sense of quiet reflection, an appreciation for
the dedication and labor it took to create such an inspiring environment. Interestingly,
the stained-glass windows do not depict biblical scenes, but rather scenes from
the religious history of Montreal.(1)
St. Patrick's Basilica, east facade.
St. Patrick's Basilica, nave.
St. Patrick’s Basilica is smaller
and more intimate. Its Gothic Revival features—pointed arches, flying
buttresses, and delicate tracery—may be less grandiose than those of Basilique Notre
Dame, but they are no less impressive. The subtle green and gold tones that
decorate the interior pay homage to Montreal’s Irish community, giving the
church a unique cultural resonance rooted in both the city’s history and the
broader legacy of Gothic Revival architecture. I enjoyed the music of
the pipe organ during my visit to St. Patrick’s, the notes of which filled the
church with sound.(2)
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, nave.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
offered me yet another take on the Gothic Revival aesthetic. The oldest and
largest church in Ottawa, the basilica is an iconic landmark, its two silvery spires
piercing the sky and easily identifiable from afar. The brightly painted
interior is very impressive, my favorite ecclesiastical space during my travels.
Again, I was reminded of the power of architecture to create moments of
reflection, even for those of us who do not share the religious beliefs the
building represents.(3)
The vast display of craftsmanship
and artistry in each of these churches is breathtaking. I was extremely
impressed by the elaborately carved tracery of the altarpieces and reredos in
all three, the depth and vibrancy of which is enhanced by gilding and painting.
Every detail, from the pointed arches to the smallest carvings, carries
meaning. The use of repeating symbols like the cross, fleur-de-lis, and
biblical imagery serves to reinforce their religious purpose. This thematic
consistency creates a unified experience for worshippers, with every aspect of
the architecture contributing to their sacred character.
Basilique Notre Dame de
Montreal, St. Patrick’s Basilica, and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica resonate strongly
with me, despite my lack of religiosity. They stand for something larger than
faith itself—they embody human ambition, creativity, and the desire to create
lasting beauty. The Gothic Revival style inspires a sense of awe and reverence
that rises above dogma. These buildings are more than just places of worship;
they are monuments to the human spirit’s ability to create something that
stands the test of time.
In an era where so much of our
built environment is disposable or utilitarian, the churches I visited serve as
reminders of what we are capable of when we aspire to more than the ordinary.
They challenge us to think about what we leave behind—about how our
architectural choices can inspire future generations. Whether or not one adheres
to the doctrines these churches uphold, there is no denying the power of their
presence. They are, in every sense, sacred spaces—not only in the religious
sense, but also in the artistic and human sense. And that is why they resonate
with me.
(1) Basilique Notre Dame de Montreal was
designed by James O’Donnell, with primary construction taking place between
1824 and 1829.
(2) St. Patrick’s Basilica was designed by
P.L. Morin and Father Felix Martin. The first mass was celebrated in the church
in 1847.
(3) Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica was
initially designed in a Neo-Classical idiom by Antoine Robillard and Father
John Francis Cannon but was subsequently redesigned as a Gothic Revival church
by Father Pierre-Adrien Telmon. Initial construction occurred between 1841 and
1843.
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