Co-Cathedral of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue facts for kids

The Co-Cathedral of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue (French: Co-cathédrale Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue) is a very important church in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada. It's located on the south shore of Montreal. This beautiful church is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. It's special because it holds the remains of the Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, who started the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.

This church is called a co-cathedral because it shares the role of a main church for the Saint-Jean-Longueuil area. The bishop, Lionel Gendron, has a special carved chair here. Before 1982, it was just a regular parish church. In 1984, the government of Quebec officially recognized it as a historical monument.

Quick facts for kids Co-cathédrale Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue
45°32′25″N 73°30′29″W / 45.540289°N 73.507931°W / 45.540289; -73.507931
Location	Longueuil, Quebec
Country	Canada
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Co-cathedral
Founded	1698
Dedication	St. Anthony of Padua
Consecrated	27 January 1887
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Albert Ménard (1847-1909), Henri-Maurice Perrault (1857-1909)
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	1884
Completed	1911
Construction cost	$98,895
Specifications
Length	74 metres (243 ft)
Width	41 metres (135 ft)
Height	81 metres (266 ft)
Materials	Stone
Administration
Parish	Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue
Archdiocese	Montreal
Diocese	Saint-Jean-Longueuil

History of the Co-Cathedral

Outline of the planned cathedral, 1885

The land where the church stands has a long history. It was once the site of Fort Longueuil. This fort was built between 1685 and 1690. It was the strong home of Charles le Moyne de Longueuil. He was the only Canadian-born person to be made a Baron by the French King.

The fort was taken down in 1810. Some of its stone was used to build the cathedral. The fort's site became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1923.

The church community, or Parish of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue, started in 1698. It is one of the oldest in Canada. The current church building was mostly built from 1884 to 1887. However, it wasn't fully finished until 1911. This is actually the third church building 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 changed its name. The Cathedral of Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste has been the main cathedral since 1933.

How the Co-Cathedral Looks

Interior of the cathedral, before the Byzantine Revival-styled dome

The Co-Cathedral was built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features tall arches and detailed decorations. However, its dome is in the Byzantine Revival style. This style is known for its grand domes and rich interiors.

The architects, Henri-Maurice Perrault and Albert Mesnard, wanted the church to be very large. They also designed the church's altar. They used both fine and very hard stones for it. A sculptor from Quebec, Louis-Philippe Hébert, helped with the front of the church. He made three sculptures from wood and covered them with metal. The church cost $98,895 to build. This was done by Eugène Fournier dit Préfontaine, who was a builder, farmer, and carpenter.

The cathedral is truly huge! It is 74 metres (243 ft) long, 41 metres (135 ft) wide, and 81 metres (266 ft) high. Louis Jobin helped fix up the church in 1930. The roof was originally covered in steel. In 1999, it was restored using 60,000 pounds (27,000 kg) of copper. More repair work is planned for the future.

What Happens at the Co-Cathedral

Mass is usually held twice from Monday to Friday. It happens once on Saturday and four times on Sunday. The Confessionals are ready about fifteen minutes before mass starts. About one-third of the cathedral is full for weekend services. During the week, it is less than one-sixth full. There are about 9,400 Roman Catholics in the parish. The church leaders, called churchwardens, often raise money. They use this money for repairs to the cathedral and the parish house.

In the lower part of the cathedral, called the crypt, there are graves. These are for members of the Le Moyne and Grant families. These families are connected to the title of Baron de Longueuil.

Priests of the Parish

Inside the cathedral, there is a special plaque. It lists all the priests who have served the parish throughout its history.

See also

In Spanish: Concatedral de San Antonio de Padua (Longueuil) para niños