NOTRE DAME BASILICA

Montreal, Canada

In 1657, the Catholics arrived in Ville-Marie, now known as Montreal, where they ruled until 1840. The parish they founded was dedicated to the Holy Name of Mary, and the parish church of Notre-Dame was built on this site in 1672. Architect Francois Baillairge designed the interiors and choir in 1785-95, and the facade and vault decoration in 1818.

The church served as the first cathedral of the Diocese of Montreal from 1821 to 1822. By 1824 the congregation had completely outgrown the church, and James O'Donnell. an Irish-American Anglican from New York City. was commissioned to design the new building. O'Donnell was a proponent of the Gothic Revival architectural movement, and designed the church as such. He is the only person buried in the church's crypt.

O'Donnell converted to Roman Catholicism on his deathbed, perhaps due to the realization that he might not be allowed to be buried in his church. The main construction work took place between 1824 and 1829. The cornerstone was laid at Place d"Armes on September 1, 1824. The sanctuary was finished in 1830, the first tower in 1841 and the second in 1843. On its completion, the church was the largest in North America and remained so for over fifty years.