Hidden among university buildings stands Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes. This Romanesque gem isn’t just a chapel. It’s a testament to faith and artistry.
Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes holds a special place in Montreal’s history. Built in 1876 it showcases the devotion of its creator Napoleon Bourassa. He poured his heart into its design and construction. Bourassa an artist-apostle was a resident of Rue St-Denis. His frescoes inside are considered his greatest achievement.
The chapel’s Romano-Byzantine style is captivating. Its interior is a masterpiece. The single nave features a barrel vault supported by gray marble. Transverse arches add grandeur. Trefoil windows flood the space with light. The decoration follows a Mariological theme. Every color harmonizes culminating in the dome’s hemisphere. Four pendentives each showcase a painted angel. They appear to contemplate Mary at the dome’s apex. She stands against a backdrop of stars and cherubim. She’s the focal point of devotion and reverence.
The main altar boasts a magnificent statue of the Virgin Mary. It’s the work of Philippe Hébert. He was Bourassa’s student. Hébert broke from tradition. He didn’t depict Mary as a young maiden. His model was a remarkable parishioner of Saint-Jacques. Hébert’s Mary is mature. Her eyes are fixed on the infinite. She conveys the rapture of ecstasy. This statue was blessed by Mgr Fabre in 1881.
Outside a gilded Virgin Mary dominates the facade. This is the creation of Parisian sculptor Joseph Lefèvre. Cast in bronze and covered in gold leaf she’s nine feet tall. She stands on the world crushing a serpent. She was erected in 1904. This marked the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception dogma. It was restored and reinstalled in 2004. Day and night she watches over Montreal.
Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes remains untouched. It’s a reminder of the past. Across the street stands the steeple of the old Saint-Jacques church. It’s a testament to Montreal’s rich history. The church was a cathedral from 1825 to 1852. It was a parish church until UQAM was built. Today the Saint-Jacques Christian community worships here. Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes stands as a beacon of faith in the heart of the city. It welcomes pilgrims from Quebec and beyond. It’s a place of prayer and peace. A true oasis of serenity.