Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa, Canada

Notre Dame Roman Catholic Basilica National Historic Site of Canada is a large Gothic Revival cathedral, built of ashlar limestone, whose twin towers mark the entrance to Lowertown, one of Ottawa’s earliest neighbourhoods. It is prominently located on Sussex Drive, between St. Patrick and Guigues streets, across from the National Gallery of Canada, in Ottawa’s Lowertown area. As the physical and spiritual centre of Ottawa’s Catholic community, the cathedral is flanked on its south side by the Archbishop’s Palace and on its north side by the former College of Bytown and the Mother House of the Grey Nuns. The formal recognition consists of the cathedral on its legal property at the time of designation.

The site was originally home to the small wooden St. Jacques Church built in 1832. This structure was moved across the street in 1841 to make way for a larger church and two years later was destroyed by a fire. This larger church was designed by local builder Antoine Robillard and Father John Francis Cannon who requested a Neo-classical design. However, in 1844, after the lower section was completed, the Oblate Fathers (OMI) assumed stewardship of the parish and Father Pierre-Adrien Telmon was sent from France to finish the construction. Father Telmon decided to redesign the church into a Neo-Gothic structure, a style which was growing in popularity. This resulted in the lower features, such as the main entrance, being Neo-Classical, while the upper portions of the structure are Neo-Gothic.

The main structure was completed in 1846. In 1847, the church was designated the cathedral of Bytown and Joseph-Bruno Guigues was appointed the first bishop. He is honoured with a lifesize statue at the southwest corner of the cathedral grounds. In 1859, Father Damase Dandurand, OMI, designed the two Gothic spires which were added to the west front in 1866. Earlier, in 1849–50, he designed the Archbishop’s Palace and in 1862–63, added the choir loft. In 1879, Pope Leo XIII designated the cathedral as a minor basilica. James R. Bowes, architect, designed new galleries and other improvements in 1875.

Governor General Georges Vanier and Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier both were given state funerals at the cathedral. A plaque commemorating the history of the cathedral was later erected near the building. It reads:

“1841-1843 – This Gothic revival structure is the oldest surviving church in Ottawa. Its twin steeples were erected in 1842. In 1848 it was named the Cathedral of the Diocese of Ottawa, then later was granted the title Basilica. Its chief glory is its carved and painted interior. Designated heritage property 1978. “On Dec 18 1999 the most reverend Marcel A Gervais, Archbishop of Ottawa officially reopened Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cathedral had been closed for renovations since the beginning of 1999 and work continued into the year 2000. This historic restoration was made possible through the generous gifts of anonymous donors, the Canada Millenium partnership program, the Ontario Government and the friends of the Cathedral. We also recognize the warm hospitality of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa who welcomed the community at the Chapel of their Mother House while the Cathedral was closed.”