St. George's Anglican Church (Montreal) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. George's Anglican Church |
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St. George's Anglican Church seen at the corner of De la Gauchetière Street and Peel Street
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| Location | 1101 Stanley Street Montreal, Quebec |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | www.st-georges.org |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1843 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | National Historic Site of Canada |
| Designated | 1990 |
| Architect(s) | William Tutin Thomas |
| Architectural type | Neo-Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1869 |
| Completed | 1870 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Montreal |
| Province | Canada |
St. George's Anglican Church is a beautiful old church in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It's a special building because it has been named a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's an important part of Canada's history! The church is named after Saint George, who is a very famous saint and the patron saint of England. You can find it on Stanley Street, close to Peel Street.
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History of St. George's Church
The first St. George's Church opened its doors on June 30, 1843. It was located on Notre-Dame Street in Montreal. This church was the second Anglican church in Montreal. It was built because the main church, Christ Church Cathedral, had too many people. A special organ was added to the church later that same year.
Moving to a New Location
As Montreal grew bigger, so did the number of people who wanted to go to St. George's. So, they decided to build a new, larger church. The spot they chose was at the corner of Peel Street and De la Gauchetière Street. This land used to be a Jewish cemetery many years ago.
The new St. George's Church was designed by a Montreal architect named William Tutin Thomas. Building started in 1869, and the church officially opened on October 9, 1870. The only thing they brought from the old church to the new one was the pulpit, which is where the speaker stands. The old church building was then used as a factory to make organs.
Later, two other church groups, from St. Jude Church and Church of the Advent, joined the St. George's congregation when their own churches closed.
Architecture and Design
St. George's Church is a great example of Gothic Revival architecture from England. It looks a lot like the churches built in medieval England around the 1200s. You can see this in its pointed arches and tall, pointy towers called pinnacles.
Special Features of the Church
The church's tall bell tower was finished in 1894. It was designed by another Montreal architect, Alexander Francis Dunlop.
The outside of the church is made from carved sandstone, and it has beautiful stained glass windows. Inside, you won't find any pillars blocking your view! The interior has traditional English woodwork and dark wood panels.
One of the most amazing things about the church is its ceiling. The wooden beams are some of the largest in the world! This special roof design, called a "double-beam hammer roof," is almost as wide as the famous Westminster Hall in London.
There's also a special tapestry inside the church. It came from Westminster Abbey in London and was used during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
War Memorial Window
The church has a beautiful stained glass window that remembers soldiers from wars. It was made by Charles William Kelsey. The window shows angels holding shields for the Navy, Army, and Air Force. Below each shield, there are inspiring words from the Bible. For example, under the Army panel, it says, "He will swallow up death in victory and the Lord God will wipe away all tears from all faces, Isaiah 25:8." These messages remind people of hope and strength.
