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Saint-Clément Church

4903, Adam Street, Montréal

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Published on : May 12 2021

Last modified on : May 12 2021

The heritage interest of the Saint-Clément church site and its presbytery lies first and foremost in the remarkable architecture of the church, enlarged in 1913 by the renowned architects Joseph Venne and Louis Labelle. The church is distinguished by the singularity of its vault and the assertive expression of its plan in a rich exterior volumetry.

It is also based on its contribution to the particular character of Adam Street, an important residential artery punctuated by several churches that serve as pauses and landmarks in the urban fabric.

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Façade de l’église Saint-Clément

Source: Atelier d’histoire Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

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“Burned down in 1926, three years after the installation of the Casavant organ, the church was rebuilt and became the first church in Canada equipped with automatic sprinklers. Together with the Sainte-Émilie convent (1902), the Saint-Clément school and the presbytery (1907), it forms the oldest complex in Maisonneuve still visible today.” (Source: Montréal en quartiers – in French) The church, located in the sector of exceptional heritage value of the former City of Maisonneuve, is recognized as a building of exceptional heritage value by the City of Montréal.

The site of Saint-Clement Church and its presbytery also bears strong witness to the founding of Viauville, a model city project developed by an important Montreal businessman of the late 19th century, Charles-Théodore Viau. The Saint-Clément church is also a strong symbol of identity for a part of the local community. A residential project had been initiated with the objective of reusing the church, but it was refused by the Couillard government. It has been unused for several years, public services have been cut off for a short time and according to available information, it appears that the church is at the stage of being put up for sale by mutual agreement.

Chronology of the site

  • 1884-1886 : Charles-Théodore Viau acquires vast agricultural lands in this area
  • 1892 : Transfer of land to the City of Maisonneuve for the alignment of this portion of Adam Street and other streets in the vicinity of the church
  • 1899-1902 : Construction of the initial volume of the church according to the plans of Joseph Venne, architect
  • 1913 : Expansion according to the plans of Joseph Venne and Louis Labelle, architects
  • 1923 : Installation of a Casavant organ
  • 1924 : The lands bordering the streets around the church are entirely built up
  • 1926 : Fire and sprinkler system installation
  • 1927 : Blessing of the Sacré-Coeur monument outside
  • 1929-1930 : Realization of the interior decoration according to the plans of Joseph Sawyer, architect
  • 1961-1963 : Installation of the stained glass windows made by the workshop of Guido Nincheri
  • 1964-1967 : Reorganization of the choir according to the precepts of Vatican II
  • 1983-1984 : Painting work, choice of color by Michel-Ange Panzini, architect
  • 1985 : Restoration of the organ
  • 2009 : Closing of the church to worship

Concepteurs

  • Original building : Joseph Venne, architect
  • Expansion : Joseph Venne and Louis Labelle, architects
  • Interior design : Joseph Sawyer, architect
  • Current colors : Michel-Ange Panzini, architect
  • Municipality or borough

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    Mercier – Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough

  • Issues

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    Mechanisms for protection

    Urban Development

  • Owner(s)

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    Private: religious organization

  • Threat(s)

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    Vacant

    No upkeep

    Lack of knowledge

  • Conception

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    Joseph Venne, architect; Louis Labelle, architect (expansion)

  • Manager(s)

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    Owner (Parish of Saint-Nom-de-Jésus)

  • Categorie(s)

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    Religious

  • Construction year

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    1899-1902; 1913 (expansion)

  • Recognition status

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    Building of exceptional heritage value – Parish ensemble Saints-Barnabé-et-Clément; Located in an area of exceptional heritage value – Maisonneuve (Sainte-Catherine Est and Morgan)

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