I wasn't the only person in the sanctuary that day, but the quiet of the place really struck me as I wandered about, taking photographs. I was lucky to have the time; the Church Of Our Lady Immaculate is spending a good part of this year having work done in the interior. In regards to an earlier comment, the location was granted to the Catholic bishop Alexander Macdonnell by the town founder, John Galt. The first church built here burned down, the second was erected in its wake, and the present church was erected as a larger and grander work years later.
The church is in the Gothic Revival style, designed by the Irish Canadian architect Joseph Connolly, who designed churches in Britain, Ireland, and here. Our Lady Immaculate is considered his best work, and has been designated a National Historic Site.
The organ stands at the back of the sanctuary, or the front, depending on your point of view. The main entrance is beneath it.
This view from the nave looks back to the entrance.
Tomorrow I'll be finishing up this winter tour of Guelph, and on the first of the month, we have ourselves a CDP Theme Day. The theme is Squares.
Wow, I love the organ!
ReplyDeleteWhat a Church ! I love churches. My church in Southampton, ON has a lovely stained glass window much like this one.
ReplyDeleteThe organ looks mighty impressive. Of course, it would need to be to be able to fill such a massive church.
ReplyDeleteThat is some organ. Is it wooden ?
ReplyDeleteI like the way they've decorated the columns.
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely arches in the third photo! It is a gorgeous church.
ReplyDeleteLinda: so did I!
ReplyDeleteCindy: there is no way I can ever tire of stain glass.
Hamilton: I can't recall ever seeing a larger one.
Stuart: the framework would no doubt be.
Revrunner: it was between Christmas and new year, so the decoration was fitting.
EG: I think so!
I'm a sucker for stained glass!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Lovely!
ReplyDeletevery grand ceilings. i know elizardbreath would love for you to link this in to inspired sunday, too.
ReplyDeleteEverything in there is just so beautiful. I would love to be able to hear that pipe organ!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great church with a beautiful organ. Must be wonderful to hear that, the coustic will be ok there, I presume.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you have ever heard that pipe organ playing. I bet the sound fills that space.
ReplyDelete@Jane and Chris: there's rich colours in stained glass.
ReplyDelete@Luis: thanks!
@Tex: I did post the first one; I can post the second and this one on Sunday as link ups.
@Lois: so would I!
@Jan: from the architectural style, I would assume the acoustics would be brilliant.
@Sharon: it's the first and only time I've been inside.
Wouldn't it be grand to hear that massive pipe organ fill the space with music!!
ReplyDeleteI love Gothic churches, no matter where they are.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting more images of this beautiful church!
ReplyDeleteI'm with VP, thank you William !
ReplyDeleteLovely! Thanks for the reminder about Theme Day... So far, I got nothin'!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. I always liked John Galt.
ReplyDeleteIt is a truly beautiful church glad it has been designated.
ReplyDeleteChurch organs are so impressive! This one is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is a grand church in every respect! John Connolly certainly got into his groove designing this one. Thanks for the info regarding its predecessors.
ReplyDelete@Judy: it would!
ReplyDelete@Bibi: so do I. The Gothic style's so appealing.
@VP: you're welcome!
@Karl: you're quite welcome!
@Linda: I took my shots a few days ago. Think location instead of geometric shape.
@Eve: I'd forgotten when I wrote this up that he was a novelist known for other things beyond these lands!
@RedPat: places like this should be preserved.
@Cheryl: it's a magnificent organ.
@Kay: you're welcome!
A spectacular structure William. I have long admired stained glass windows. I also love to listen to church organ music.
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous architecture, and the stained glass is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteQuite impressive.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has stated what I would have. Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteYour great photos certainly show proof of why this church is a National Historic Site. Beautiful, William.
ReplyDeleteChurches are the best places to find serenity....
ReplyDeletehow grand it all is!
ReplyDeleteLooks absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteTruly amazing.
ReplyDelete@Denise: this one is grand.
ReplyDelete@Krisztina: I agree.
@Barbara: that it is.
@Mari: thank you.
@Lynette: thanks!
@Norma: indeed.
@Tanya: very much so.
@Mike: definitely!
@Whisk: I agree.