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 Ch. Queen Mary, Montréal, QC H3V 1H6, Canada
Phone: (514) 733-8211
Official Website: Oratoire St Joseph
Oratoire St Joseph Reviews
Rated out of 5
It was one of the stops during our trip to Quebec, and I'm really glad we visited. I wasn't expecting it to be so huge. The entire place is impressive, both inside and out. The basilica is beautiful, and everything is very well maintained.
It was so calm and peaceful inside. Even with other visitors around, there was a quiet atmosphere. The views from the different floors were amazing, overlooking Montreal from different angles. I found myself just standing there for a while, enjoying the scenery and the peaceful surroundings.
kalyani Patel - 3 weeks ago
Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is an absolute must-visit in Montreal. It is a massive, incredibly beautiful church built high up on the mountain side, making it clearly visible from miles away as you approach.
One of the best things about visiting is how accessible it is. Despite being high up on a hill, they have indoor escalators and elevators that make it incredibly easy for everyone to go up without having to climb the massive outdoor stone staircase. There is a huge parking lot on-site, though do note it is a paid lot. Inside, there is also a lovely little souvenir shop perfect for picking up religious items or mementos.
The highlight of the visit has to be the spectacular panoramic view from the top terrace. It is famous for its sunset views, and watching the sun go down over the city from up there is absolutely unforgettable. Highly recommend!
Vivek Sharma - a month ago
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring churches I have ever visited. From the moment I entered, I felt a deep sense of peace, serenity, and spirituality. The architecture is magnificent, and every detail reflects beauty and devotion.
The panoramic view from the top overlooking Montreal is absolutely breathtaking and worth the visit on its own. The combination of the stunning basilica, the peaceful atmosphere, and the surrounding scenery creates an unforgettable experience.
Having visited many churches around the world, I can honestly say that Saint Joseph’s Oratory stands among the most remarkable in North America . It is a place that touches both the heart and the soul. A must-visit when in Montreal.
Dr Kardo Hedati - 2 months ago
Visiting the Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I was captivated by its beautiful architecture and breathtaking grandeur.
The soaring architecture, intricate details, and magnificent craftsmanship create an atmosphere that is both inspiring and humbling.
A truly beautiful and awe-inspiring destination that I would highly recommend to anyone. Five stars!
Luiz Sene - a month ago
An absolutely gorgeous basilica. The architecture is stunning and the way the entire structure is laid out is amazing. So many different things to explore and learn about.
Recommend parking at the ground level and taking the elevators to the different floors going all the way to the topmost (8th floor) which is the basilica.
You can easily spend 1-2 hours here. Great place to catch the sunset.
Rahul M - 2 months ago
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 -
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Photo Credit: A Disappearing Act - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: jcneto - cc license via Flickr
