Here stands \u00c9glise Saint-Cl\u00e9ment a testament to faith and community in Montreal. This church has a story etched in its very stones. Imagine back in 1898. The second parish of Maisonneuve needed a place to worship. The cornerstone was blessed May 28 1898. Construction stretched from 1899 to 1902.
\u00c9glise Saint-Cl\u00e9ment found its home on land donated by Charles-Th\u00e9odore Viau. Viau was a local biscuit and candy maker. He was also a philanthropist. He envisioned the church as the heart of a thriving community. He knew it would increase the value of surrounding lands. Mgr Paquet praised Viau. He said that Viau was very intelligent and a good Christian. He knew the importance of the church.
Joseph Venne drew up the original plans. He was a respected architect. The initial design featured a more compact form. It had a Romanesque-style portal with unique decorative elements. Notice the deep niches in the pillars. See the sculpted friezes above the portal. Spot the blasons and colonettes. A central steeple with double lanterns towered above. It evoked the steeples of old French regime churches. Two towers with pavilion roofs flanked the facade. Five bells were blessed in 1899. They were named Cl\u00e9ment L\u00e9on Paul Louis and Th\u00e9odore.
By 1913 \u00c9glise Saint-Cl\u00e9ment needed more space. Viau and Venne were called upon again. They enlarged the building significantly. They heightened the walls and redesigned the roof. They raised the facade. The central steeple got a new spire. The transepts were remodeled. The interior received a complete makeover.
An unfortunate event struck in 1923. An organ was installed. Three years later a fire broke out damaging the organ. The church then became the first religious building with automatic sprinklers.
The parish of Saint-Barnab\u00e9-Ap\u00f4tre was created in 1951. It was formed from part of Saint-Cl\u00e9ment’s territory. Saint-Cl\u00e9ment parish was dissolved in 2000. It merged with Saint-Barnab\u00e9-et-Cl\u00e9ment. Then in 2010 it was annexed to the parish of Saint-Enfant-J\u00e9sus.
Look closely at the stained glass. They are by the famous Guido Nincheri. \u00c9glise Saint-Cl\u00e9ment stands as a reminder. It reminds us of the enduring power of faith and community. Its story is woven into the fabric of Montreal’s history.