About
Set down an easily overlooked side street, just off of Montreal's perpetually busy Rene-Levesque Boulevard, stands St. Patrick's Basilica, Basilique Notre Dame's English-speaking cousin. Completed in 1847, St. Patrick's Basilica is a neo-Gothic gem, with an opulent green and gold forest-like interior, befitting its name.
Probably the most interesting facet of this off-the-beaten-path church is the pillars that support the arches. At first glance, they look like ordinary marble columns. But in fact, they are beams from a white oak tree that were stripped of their bark, bound together, and encased in marble.
Due to its location down a nondescript side street and its close proximity to several of Montreal's star churches (Basilique Notre Dame and Marie-Reine-du-Monde), St. Patrick's Basilica is often overlooked by visitors. Should you happen to be in downtown Montreal though, definitely stop by to take a look inside. You will likely have the church to yourself, which creates a quiet respite from the crowds and noises of Montreal's mainstream attractions.
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Know Before You Go
St. Patrick's Basilica is in the heart of downtown Montreal and is less than a 15-minute walk away from Basilique Notre Dame. It is free to visit and easily accessed by all forms of transportation. The schedule may be found on the church's website.
Published
July 26, 2019
