Oratoire St Joseph
A Mini Pilgrimage to the Oratoire St Joseph du Mont-Royal
What a majestic sight the Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is, as it towers over plush and meticulously kept gardens. The long road which leads one towards the entrance allows one ample time to reflect on the churches beauty as you make your way towards its front entrance. Before reaching the entrance however you will need to climb more than 280 steps! This can be seen as a mini pilgrimage so be sure to wear the proper shoes on your visit to the basilica if you have any intention of going inside.
The architectural style used is that of Italian renaissance complete with a dome, the 'cupola' as is typically seen in the basilica's of Italy. In fact the dome is the second largest dome in the world, the first being Saint Peter's basilica in Rome. The height of the dome is 236 meters. A variety of architects were involved in the construction and design of the church. The most notable of those were Paul Bellot, Dalbé Viau, Lucien Parent, and Alphonse Venne.
The Saint Joseph's Oratory which is situated on Mount Royal is the largest church in Canada, seating 2,400 people with a maximum capacity of 10,000 people. The height of the church towers 129 metres and the length 105 metres.
Construction of the church began in 1904 by Saint Andre' Bessette, C.S.C, however, it was a small chapel at that time, nothing in comparison to the basilica which you will see as it stands today. The church was later enlarged to accommodate for the growing congregation and this is when it was turned into a basilica. With all the expansion and alterations the basilica was finally finished in 1967.
The church was featured on a 49c stamp issued by the Canadian Post in April of 2004. The stamp was designed by Catherine Bradbury and William Stewart. Their design was based on photography of the church done by Bernard Brault.
During your visit to Saint Joseph's Oratory you will not only enjoy the beautiful gardens and lawn that lead up to it, or the magificent architecture itself; for a very small fee, you can also explore the Oratory Museum which is open daily from 11am - 4:30pm and during July and August you can participate in a fully guided tour, also for a small fee. If you get hungry during your visit you can enjoy a breakfast or light lunch along with some great views at the cafeteria.
If you would like to experience a truly Roman Catholic Church service in the largest church in Canada with the atmosphere of reverence that comes with it, then this is definitely a place to visit. If you are simply a fan of renaissance architecture, you will also want to add this to your list of places to see in Montreal.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: There is a small fee to visit the Oratory Museum or to participate in one of the guided tours that are available during July and August. See the offical website for more information.Oratoire St Joseph Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Address: 3800 Chem. Queen Mary, Montréal, QC H3V 1H6, Canada
Phone: (514) 733-8211
Official Website: Oratoire St Joseph
Oratoire St Joseph Reviews
Rated out of 5
We were very impressed with the architecture inside the oratory. This place is spread out to multiple floors and each one provides a unique experience. On the top floor, you’ll have a splendid view of the city and also can enjoy the exterior view of the building. There’s also a gift shop on the top floor.
There’s multiple paid parking spaces available; you can also drive to the top floor and park there, but the space is limited. There’s construction ongoing on the premises to build an elevator and making it easier to navigate between the floors.
Alaleh - FoodyTO - 3 weeks ago
Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal is a breathtaking sanctuary, easily accessible from Metro Snowdon. Perched on Mount Royal, it offers one of the most stunning aerial views of the city, especially during sunset, when the sky transforms into a canvas of warm colors.
The Oratory itself is an architectural marvel, and the Crypt Church within is vast and serene. However, the true highlight for me was the Garden of the Cross. This peaceful garden is adorned with beautifully crafted sculptures that bring the Stations of the Cross to life, showcasing the talent of the artists. The Fountain of Redemption in the center is an exquisite touch, adding to the spiritual and aesthetic beauty of the space.
Whether you’re seeking tranquility, art, or simply a great view of Montreal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a must-visit.
vishal dhamke - a week ago
Such a amazing and majestic place. The beauty of Cathedral and awe inspiring carving makes you feel holy. The stair has 296 steps, worth the effort. Is also gives you a outstanding view of the city.
Saurabh Bhowmick - a week ago
I unfortunately went during construction, but it was still breathtaking. High on a mountain, it overlooks the rest of the city. It doesn't quite face downtown so it isn't looking at the most developed part of the city, but the view is still great. Inside is spacious with various floors like observatory and gift shop, etc. Marvellous stained glass windows too.
The walk did take a while, and was quite tiring as it is VERY uphill.
Will Zhang - a month ago
A beautiful place to see the city with an amazing view. Prepare yourself to the stairs, if you go inside the oratory you can take the elevator or escalators. And see the oratory inside, it's really beautiful.
You can take time to pray too, if it makes sense for your beliefs.
Lorena Haack - in the last week
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 5 - Blue | Côte-des-Neiges | 8 Minutes |
How to get to Oratoire St Joseph by Metro
By Metro: Take Metro LIne 5 to Station Côte-des-Neiges; exit to your right (south) along Côte-des-Neiges Road then go right on Queen Mary Road to the entrance.
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Photo Gallery
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View from St Joseph's Oratory cc licensed photo by Eduardo Zárate -
Photo Credit: Andrew-1 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Joe Passe - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: A Disappearing Act - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: A Disappearing Act - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: jcneto - cc license via Flickr
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