In June I posted a few shots taken along rue Saint-Urbain that included a couple of shots of Saint Michael’s and Saint-Anthony’s church on the corner of Saint Viateur. I mentioned in the post that I’d never actually been inside and received an email from a reader informing me that during the summer the church was open for guided tours. Being in the area yesterday I stopped by to take some more shots – Including some interior shots this time 🙂

Built in 1914-15 the Byzantine style and minaret-like tower make it one of Montréal’s impressive landmarks. The church was designed by the local Outremont architect Aristide Beaugrand-Champagne – who also designed the Grande Chalet de la Montagne – and was a pioneer in in developing the use of reinforced concrete in Quebec. Prior to Saint Joseph’s Oratory, the dome was the largest in Montréal.

Originally the church was named Saint Michael’s and the parishioners comprised mainly of the local Irish immigrant community. Between the World Wars it was the largest Anglo speaking parish in Quebec.

However, in 1964 due to the decline in the local Irish population, Cardinal Léger arranged for Saint Anthony of Padua’s Polish Mission to share the church and in 1969 the parish was officially renamed Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s Catholic Community.

Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s church
ISO 100 – 82mm – f8 – 1/500 sec

Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s church
ISO 100 – 10mm – f14 – 1/125 sec

Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s church
ISO 100 – 19mm – f5.6 – 1/200 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s church
ISO 100 – 13mm – f4.5 – 1/200 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s church
ISO 100 – 16mm – f5 – 1/200 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s church
ISO 100 – 18mm – f5.3 -1/320 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

The interior decoration of the church was completed around 1916 by Guido Nincheri who was born and raised in Florence but lived in Montréal from 1914. Although best known for his stained glass windows he was also a renowned muralist.

Inside Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s
ISO 100 – 10mm – f7.1 – 1/5 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s
ISO 100 – 10mm – f4 – 1/13 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s
ISO 100 – 16mm – f13 – 1/5 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s
ISO 100 – 14mm – f4.8 – 1/15 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s
ISO 100 – 85mm – f1.8 – 1/13 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside Saint Michael’s and Saint Anthony’s
ISO 100 – 11mm – f14 – 1/3 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Dome painting by Guido Nincheri
ISO 100 – 10mm – f13 – 1/5 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Stained glass side windows
ISO 100 – 10mm – f4.5 – 1/13 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Stained glass side windows
ISO 100 – 85mm – f11 – 1/15 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Stained glass side windows
ISO 100 – 10mm – f5.6 – 0.5 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Stained glass side windows
ISO 100 – 10mm – f5.6 – 0.5 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

With the sun shining through the large stained glass windows, I would really have liked if there was a little haze in the air to add a bit of extra atmosphere to the images – I imagine during a mass it could look pretty spectacular. I decided to try adding some rays of light using Photoshop Elements. It was my first attempt at doing this but I was quite pleased with the result.

Stained glass side windows
ISO 100 – 10mm – f5.6 – 0.5 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

If you are in the area and the church is open, I highly recommend you take a moment to walk around inside – particularly if the sun is shining.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

– Martin

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