Description of Historic Place

Building 48, also known as the Catholic Chapel, is situated in the central sector of the village in the Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada. It is a small structure clad with vertically laid planks and a pitched roof. The round-arched windows are set within pointed arches for the window frames. The bell tower porch rises through the centre of the façade with a rose/wheel window and is crowned with a lantern surmounted by a cross. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 48 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:

Historical Value
Building 48 is associated with Canadian immigration and quarantine. Situated on the St Lawrence River 50 km from the Port of Québec, which it served, Grosse Île functioned as the most important quarantine station for immigrants arriving into Canada between 1832 and 1937. In 1857, with the end of British control, the Canadian government became responsible for the Grosse Île quarantine station. The following decades were marked by an intense functional reorganization of the island, under the direction of the medical superintendent, A. Von Iffland. From 1869 to 1899, the new medical superintendent, Frédéric Montizambert, continued the work of his predecessor and was involved in its design and construction of the Catholic Chapel, a very good example of the development of the community.

Architectural Value
Building 48 is valued for its good aesthetic design which was inspired by Protestant churches built in the Gothic Revival style prior to the High Victorian Gothic period. The very functional design includes a small sacristy that adjoins the flat apse of the building and a lean-to porch that provides access to the sacristy. The many Gothic Revival-inspired ornamental details, interior decoration and period furniture exhibit very good craftsmanship.

Environmental Value
Building 48 reinforces the present historic character of its Grosse Île setting. The structure is a well-known local landmark.

Sources: The Catholic Chapel, Grosse Île (Part 2 1861-1880), Quebec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Report 90-031; The Catholic Chapel, Grosse Île, Quebec, Heritage Character Statement 90-031.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Building 48 should be respected.

Its good aesthetics, its very good functional design and very good craftsmanship, for example: the massing that consists of the small chapel with a pitched roof and the attached bell tower porch; the timber construction; the round-arched openings set within pointed-arch window frames; the trefoil motif and circular rose window motif of the bell tower that is echoed in the transom of the main door, the decoration below the cornice and the lantern surmounted by a cross; the exterior walls clad in vertically laid planks; the interior configuration, finishes and the pews, including the altarpiece, the choir, the false basket-handle vault, and cornice.

The manner in which Building 48 reinforces the historic character of Grosse Île, and is a landmark on the St. Lawrence River, as evidenced by: its scale, its design and materials, which complement the related adjacent structures including the Catholic Presbytery; its high visibility and familiarity within the central sector, due to its location at the centre of the village.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Grosse Île Catholic Chapel was built in 1874 according to plans prepared by the Department of Public Works. Frédérick Montizambert, who was the superintendent of this quarantine station at the time, was very much involved in its design and construction. The Catholic Chapel is the property of the Department of Canadian Heritage and is part of the Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site. See FHBRO Building Report 90-31 (Part II: 1861-1 880).

Reasons for Designation

The Grosse Île Catholic Chapel was designated Recognized mainly for its importance to local history. This Chapel, together with the Catholic Presbytery, is a central symbol of community life of the village of Grosse Île.

In 1857, the Canadian government assumed responsibility for the Grosse Île quarantine station. The following decades were marked by an intense functional reorganization of the island, under the direction of the medical superintendent, A. Von Iffland. The “health” and “disease” sectors were reversed and an extensive repair and building program was instituted. In the 1870s, the new medical superintendent, Frédéric Montizambert, continued the work of his predecessor. The new Catholic Chapel dates from this period.

The aesthetic and functional design of the Catholic Chapel as well as the choice of building materials and techniques also played a role in the decision to “recognize” this Gothic Revival-inspired building for its external decoration in particular. The fact that the Catholic Chapel is an essential element of the central sector’s current heritage character also weighed in this decision. Because of its location, the building is very prominent and helps make this place of worship one of the attractions of the guided tour.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage value of the Catholic Chapel resides in its general composition, its fenestration and its many Gothic Revival-inspired ornamental details, as well as its plan and interior decoration. Its relationship with the Presbytery and the site also help define its heritage value.

The Catholic Chapel is a small structure clad with vertically laid planks and topped with a pitched roof. The bell tower-porch, which rises in the middle of the facade, terminates with a lantern surmounted by a cross. Its location outside the rectangular plan is inspired by Protestant churches built in the Gothic Revival style, prior to the High Victorian Gothic period. A small low sacristy adjoins the flat apse of the Chapel, which is oriented to the northwest, contrary to the directives of canon law, which recommended that it face east. A lean-to porch provides access to the sacristy.

The Chapel’s Gothic Revival-inspired ornamentation is more extensive on the facade than on the sides. We should mention in particular the use of pointed arches for the window frames, despite the fact that the windows themselves are round-headed windows. The bell tower is decorated with a trefoil motif gable which is surmounted by a circular rose-shaped window; this motif is taken up again by the transom of the main door. The arcading of the tower’s apex and the corbiesteps* which run under the cornices* enhance the elegance of this facade. All of these decorative elements should be preserved.

From the porch -- the lower part of the tower -- the entire Chapel can immediately be seen. A balustrade separates the nave from the choir. Several steps lead up to the solitary altar* surmounted by its tabernacle; the sacristy entrance is hidden behind. Because of the heritage value of this Chapel, care must be taken to ensure that these surroundings are not changed, just as it will be appropriate to preserve the Chapel’s furniture, which is remarkably intact and complete.

The altarpiece is simply articulated on the wall of the choir. Two pilasters rise to meet an imposing cornice which encircles the Chapel walls. Above the capitals, it defines a semicircular arch in such a way as to delimit a space for a mounted canvas. The decor of the choir is completed by two statues set on decorative brackets; an applied moulding creates the illusion of niches. A false basket-handle vault divided into cells by transverse arches completes the interior decor; mouldings define panels and circumferences. The sacristy has a large two-piece credenza, a wardrobe and a corner cabinet. It is important to ensure the longevity of all these decorative elements and of the period furniture which is used or ornamental.

* Translator’s note: these terms could not be confirmed

Maintaining the Chapel’s relationship with its site and with the nearby Presbytery is highly desirable. The treatment of the site could be revamped based on available iconographic documents.
For further guidance, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice. Translation