St. Andrews

Atop the 135-foot tower of St. Andrew and St. Paul Church, four turrets stand guard. One turret stretches higher, symbolizing a closed hand with an index finger pointing towards the heavens. St. Andrew and St. Paul Church is more than just a striking architectural marvel in downtown Montreal. It’s a living testament to the enduring power of faith, history, and community. The church stands proudly at 3415 Redpath Street, at the corner of Sherbrooke Street. Its location places it near the Golden Square Mile, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and Concordia University. The church we see today is the result of a 1918 merger of two congregations, both with roots in the 19th century: St. Andrew’s and St. Paul’s. St. Andrew’s, founded in 1803, had several homes before settling on Sherbrooke Street. Its previous incarnations included locations on Notre-Dame Street, Saint Peter Street, and Beaver Hall Hill. St. Paul’s, established in 1832, also journeyed through various locations, including Rue Sainte-Héléne and Dorchester Boulevard. The present St. Andrew and St. Paul Church opened its doors in 1932. Its Gothic Revival style, crafted primarily by Montreal draftsman H. Ross Wiggs, evokes a sense of timeless grandeur. The church boasts an impressive Casavant Frères organ from 1932, the largest in Montreal, with 7,000 pipes resonating within its walls. The church also serves as the regimental church of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada. Every year, the regiment holds its annual Church Parade, marching from the Bleury Street Armory to St. Andrew and St. Paul. Inside, commemorative stained-glass windows, many originating from the former St. Paul’s Church, illuminate the space with vibrant colors and historical narratives. One window stands out, a memorial to Lt. Col. Barlett McLennan and the soldiers of the 42nd Battalion who fell in the First World War. A plaque on the west wall of the Chancel bears the names of all 836 fallen soldiers. Between the church and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts lies the Quiet Garden, a tranquil oasis opened in 2003. This serene space offers a place for reflection and peace amidst the bustling city. St. Andrew and St. Paul Church isn’t merely a building of stone and glass. It’s a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of faith, history, and community, a testament to the enduring spirit of Montreal.