St. Joseph’s Oratory, the largest Catholic church in Canada, will be under construction to improve and create new experiences for the faithful and visitors alike. The landmark, on the north-west side of Montreal’s Mount Royal, is second only to the Casino as the most-visited site in the city.
The announcement of the joint funding totalling $80 million (Cdn) was made Monday. The federal and provincial government’s have promised $53 million (Cdn) combined, the city of Montreal will contribute $10 million (Cdn) and St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal will contribute the remaining $17 million (Cdn).
“a greener, more accessible, more user-friendly site”
Father Claude Grou, is the rector of the Oratory and he described the investment as essential to improve the tourist experience.
“When this project is complete, [visitors] will be able to enjoy a greener, more accessible, more user-friendly site,” Grou said during the press conference.
Mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, is an enthusiastic supporter of the investment explaining Monday, that religious tourism brings the city $250 million (Cdn) a year, and added that the Oratory is part of the city’s heritage. “It’s part of our identity” he said.
Inspired by the humble faith of Brother Andre, the door man at College Notre Dame, across the road, the little wooden chapel he built in 1904 is still on site. Credited with many miracles Brother Andre, was canonized a saint in 2010. The construction of the big church began in 1924 and was completed in 1967, in time for the Canada’s Centennial celebration.
Now almost 50 years later, the updates and improvements, which include new visitor facilities, improving access to the site and a new pedestrian area, are necessary. Work will begin in 2017, the 375th anniversary of Montreal, and the 150th anniversary of Canada, and should be completed by 2021.
New bells are also part of the renewal as is the opportunity to take in the view from the very top of the oratory, something Father Grou says he has done many times, but is still amazed on every occasion.
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