Notre Dame Cathedral of Ottawa

• Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

• Architect: Fr. Jean-François Cannon (Design concept), Fr. Adrien Telmon (Design concept)

• Style: Neo-classical / Gothic Revival

• Completed in: 1846

• Denomination: Catholic

• Designation: National Historic Site of Canada (1990)

Notre Dame Cathedral, located in Ottawa, Canada, is a significant historical and architectural landmark. Constructed in 1846, it holds the distinction of being the oldest church in the city. This stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture serves as the seat of the city's Roman Catholic archbishop.

The construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ottawa began in 1841 on the location previously occupied by the smaller wooden St. Jacques Church. During this period, Ottawa, then known as Bytown, was experiencing rapid growth, which included an increasing Catholic population, necessitating a larger Catholic church.

The newly constructed stone church was initially designed by missionary Jean-François Cannon, in the Neo-classical style, based on St. Patrick Church in Quebec City. In 1844, however, after the completion of the first-floor façade, Father Adrien Telmon, who had recently arrived, determined that the remainder of the church should be redesigned in the Gothic Revival style, which was emerging as a new trend in church architecture in France at that time. As a results, the lower section of façade, such as the main entrance is in the Neo-classical style while the upper section of façade are in the Gothic Revival style.

"Main entrance in Neo-classic style"

The entrance of the first-floor façade showcases the Neo-classic elements such as an entablature and a round-headed arches whereas the upper window showcases the Gothic-revival elements such as a point-headed stained-glass windows.

"Upper window in Gothic-revival style"

While the building's exterior was completed in 1846, the tin-covered steeples with bells were not added until 1958.

"Two steeples and the statue of the Virgin Mary covered with gold leaf."

In contrast to its modest exterior, the interior has been extensively decorated and is considered one of the finest in the country. It showcases intricate, vaulted ceilings painted blue with gold stars, adorned with ribs supported by wooden columns that mimic marble.

"Gothic Revival interior"

"Vaulted ceilings"

"The columns appear to be marble but are actually made of wood"

The cathedra, the Archbishop's throne, was presented to Bishop Duhamel by l'Union St-Pierre in October 1874, to commemorate his consecration as the second bishop of Ottawa.

"The Cathedra can be seen to the left"

"The stained glass window above the main entrance and the organ"

"The Resurrection"

"The Ascension"

Reference:

City of Ottawa. (2008). Ottawa: A guide to heritage structures. Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee.

Fletcher, K., & Fletcher, E. (2004). Capital walks: Walking tours of Ottawa. Fitzhenry & Whiteside.

Government of Canada. (2017, December 15). Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (Ottawa, ON). Parks Canada. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.canada.ca/en/parks-canada/news/2017/12/notre-dame_cathedralbasilicaottawaon.html

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica Ottawa. (n.d.). Architecture. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://notredameottawa.com/architecture

Waldron, A. (2017). Exploring the capital: An architectural guide to the Ottawa region. Figure 1 Publishing.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (Ottawa). In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_Cathedral_Basilica