Visiting the Église Saint-Zotique, Montreal, Quebec: Executed in Brick, With a Commanding Presence, Completed in 1927

[NB: Among the many notable buildings which are the subject of the hubpages, these may include religious buildings, described as churches, etc.; these descriptions centre on the buildings' architectural and historical interest.]

The Église Saint-Zotique (1), in Montreal's Rue Notre-Dame, is a monumental structure with a commanding presence, facing Square Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier.

While its base was built in 1911 (2), the building was completed in 1927.

Executed in brick, with elements of stone facing, the structure exhibits Syrian (or Romanesque) arching at its rue Notre-Dame elevation. While the lower part of this massive frontage is almost two-dimensional in its feel, this is mitigated by a sense of depth and height at its twin towers. These symmetrical towers are topped by small domes (2), and incorporate series of pillars.

Architects Charbonneau, MacDuff and Lemieux were responsible for the building's design.

With its location facing leafy Square Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier, the Église Saint-Zotique, the building may on the surface to be at a quiet location of Montreal, but in fact it is in an historically very busy area: the Square leads to a bank of the Canal Lachine / Lachine Canal; and fairly close by is the Échangeur Turcot / Turcot Interchange of Autoroutes 15 and 20/720. A railroad junction was also formerly situated nearby (also named Turcot); and indeed part of the local land was formerly owned by the Compagnie de chemin de fer du Grand Tronc du Canada / Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada.

Interestingly, it was parishioners of the former village of Turcot — for which the Échangeur Turcot / Turcot Interchange was named (2) — that joined with other local parishes to petition for the establishment of what became the Église Saint-Zotique.

The Église Saint-Zotique is located at 4865, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, Quebec.

March 25, 2020

Notes

(1) See also (in French) : https://www.localprayers.com/CA/Montreal/202615316418541/%C3%89glise-St-Zotique

(2) There is a photograph extant of the building's base already having built in 1911, but without its superstructure; which for those now familiar with the completed building makes for a strange sight (source: Wikimedia Commons).

(3) One of these small domes was removed some years ago.

(4) The former village itself was named for a local landowner and merchant, Philippe Turcot (1791-1861); a number of land deals from 1847 until 1860 saw the establishment of the village known as Turcot. A local street is also named rue Philippe-Turcot and a city park is named for former Turcot village..

The architectural and cultural attractions of Montreal are too numerous to mention here, but of special note, among many others, are the domed Bonsecours Market (Marché Bonsecours), dating from 1847, which was a venue used to house the Parliament of United Canada, prior to Confederation. The Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal) was built mainly between 1824 and 1829; many Montrealers attend annual performances of Handel's 'Messiah' there. The Olympic Stadium (Stade Olympique) in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district, used for the 1976 Olympics, has the the world's tallest inclined tower, at 175 metres.

Mont-Tremblant (distance: 133 kilometres), in the Laurentian Mountains (Laurentides) is ideal for scenic excursions, golf and skiing; its boutiques attract many shoppers.

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How to get there: Air Canada flies to Montreal (Aéroport international Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau de Montréal ) from Toronto-Pearson, and from New York-Newark and New York-La Guardia, with wide connections. A number of car rental companies offer service at Montreal-Trudeau airport. VIA Rail maintains regular services with Toronto and Windsor. You are advised to check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.