“Behold, a co-cathedral,” I say, gesturing towards the magnificent structure before us. This is the Co-Cathedral of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue in Longueuil. It stands as a testament to faith and history on Montreal’s south shore.
Now take a moment. Let your gaze travel up its impressive height of 81 metres. Consider that this site holds layers of history beneath its stones. Here once stood Fort Longueuil. It was a fortified residence constructed between 1685 and 1690 for Charles le Moyne de Longueuil. He was the only Canadian-born person raised to the rank of Baron by the French King. The fort was demolished in 1810. Some of its stones were used in the cathedral’s construction. Imagine those stones whispering tales of New France as you pass by.
The Parish of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue is one of the oldest in Canada. It was founded in 1698. This very building was largely constructed from 1884 to 1887. However it was not fully completed until 1911. It is the third church in Longueuil’s history. The first one was completed in 1811.
Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue became a co-cathedral in 1982. This happened when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Jean-de-Québec became the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Jean-Longueuil. The Cathedral of Saint-Jean-l’Évangéliste has been the primary cathedral of the diocese since 1933.
Note the architecture around you. The cathedral is built in the Gothic Revival style. However the dome reflects Byzantine Revival architecture. Architects Henri-Maurice Perrault and Albert Mesnard wanted the cathedral to be grand in scale. They combined fine and hard stones for the altar. Louis-Philippe Hébert, a Québécois sculptor, created three wood sculptures covered in metal for the facade. The church cost $98895 to build. Eugène Fournier dit Préfontaine was the entrepreneur, farmer, and carpenter.
The cathedral is quite large. It measures 74 metres long and 41 metres wide. Louis Jobin renovated the church in 1930. In 1999 the steel roof was restored using 27000 kg of copper.
Part of the cathedral’s crypt is the final resting place for the Le Moyne and Grant families. These families are affiliated with the title of Baron de Longueuil. Inside, you can find a plaque listing all the priests who have served this parish.
The Co-Cathedral of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue is more than just a building. It is a place where the community gathers. Mass is still celebrated here regularly. It is a landmark that echoes the history of Longueuil and its people. It is a place where the past and present intertwine. As we leave, consider the generations who have sought solace and inspiration within these walls.