St. Patrick's Church (Halifax, Nova Scotia) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St Patrick's Church
Exterior
44°39′15″N 63°34′59″W / 44.654085°N 63.583119°W / 44.654085; -63.583119
Location	2263 Brunswick Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 2Y9
Country	Canada
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	StPatricks.Halifax.ns.ca
History
Status	Active
Founded	1843 (1843)
Dedication	Saint Patrick
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Architect(s)	Henry Peters
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	August 8, 1883
Completed	December 27, 1885
Administration
Deanery	Halifax Central
Archdiocese	Halifax-Yarmouth
Province	Halifax-Yarmouth

St. Patrick's Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is an important building for the local community. The church was first started in 1843, and the building you see today opened in 1885. It is officially recognized as a Provincial Heritage Building because of its history and importance. Today, priests from the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, help lead the church.

A Look Back: Church History
Church Life Today
The Jesuit Centre of Spirituality
Inside the Church
See also

A Look Back: Church History

Starting the Parish

The St. Patrick's parish began in 1843. At first, church services were held in a stable on Gerrish and Göttingen streets. Two years later, in 1845, the church moved to an older chapel that used to be an Anglican Garrison Chapel.

In 1851, a tall spire with a bell was added to the chapel. A school for children was opened in the church's basement in 1857. Later, in 1867, the school moved into its own building.

Building the New Church

As more and more people joined the church, plans were made to build a bigger church. Henry Peters, a local architect, was chosen to design the new building. He also designed St. Matthew's Church in Halifax. Peters was a well-known builder in the area.

The last service in the old church was held on April 2, 1883. On August 8, 1883, the Archbishop of Halifax, Cornelius O'Brien, laid the first stone for the new church. The first service in the new church's basement was on December 22, 1883. Finally, on December 27, 1885, the main part of the church was opened, and the first service was held at the main altar.

Changes Over Time

From 1898 to 1903, beautiful stained-glass windows were put into the church. However, on December 6, 1917, a huge explosion in Halifax damaged many of these windows. Only five original windows survived. In 1922, new windows from Franz Mayer & Co. replaced the damaged ones. That same year, St. Patrick's Boys School opened across from the church. St. Patrick's Girl School was also on the same street. In 1954, these schools joined together in a new building on Quinpool Road.

In 1946, the church was repainted and repaired. In the 1960s and 1970s, some changes were made inside the church. For example, the altar rail was removed, and a smaller table altar was placed in front of the old main altar. In 2005, the Jesuits moved into the area and began serving as priests for the parish.

Church Life Today

St. Patrick's Church holds one Sunday service at 9:30 AM. There are also weekday services held in the evening at the Jesuit Centre for Spirituality, which is right next to the church.

The Saint Patrick's Band was a very popular local band in Halifax during the Victorian era. They played many different kinds of music and were often asked to perform.

The Jesuit Centre of Spirituality

Jesuit Spirituality Centre

The Jesuits first came to Halifax in 1940 to manage St. Mary's College, which later became St. Mary's University. The high school part of the college closed in 1963. In 1974, the university was given back to the Archdiocese of Halifax.

In 1952, the Jesuits started the Canadian Martyrs' parish. In 2005, this parish was also transferred to the archdiocese. The Jesuits stayed in Halifax, and in 2006, they opened the Jesuit Centre of Spirituality next to St. Patrick's Church.

This centre is a place where people can learn about Ignatian spirituality. It offers things like spiritual direction, daily prayer with scripture, and the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. It helps people in Atlantic Canada grow in their faith.