I am starting off a series today on a number of churches in Ottawa. Sacre-Coeur is a French speaking Roman Catholic church set on the campus at the University of Ottawa. The parish is partnered with St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church, an English speaking church across the street, and they have common roots. St. Joseph's was founded by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1856, and in 1889, the French speaking families started Sacre-Coeur. The current building dates from the 1970s, a replacement for the previous church, which burned in a fire. The architecture is interesting, with the sanctuary being a multi-sided shape instead of the usual rectangle, creating a more intimate feel. Check out this link for a look at what the church looked like before the fire, and what's now in its original location.
There's a small chapel accessible, even when the rest of the church is closed, for passing students. The stained glass in here really caught my attention. It's very different from what one might expect.
there is some wonderful modern stained glass around in places these days
ReplyDeleteThose stained glass windows are spectacular. So much color!
ReplyDeleteI love the stained glass windows!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colours !
ReplyDeleteTomás.
Very nice church, certainly very different from the norm. The front reminds me of a bell
ReplyDeleteA arquitetura da igreja é linda e os vitrais são fabulosos
ReplyDeleteTenha um bom dia William
Um abraço
Beautiful. The play of colour and light round the windows is magical.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice windows.
ReplyDeleteI like the colours and shapes of the modern stained glass.
ReplyDeletelove the shot of the sun glistening in ... so pretty. i love a great historical church. that is too fun!! ( :
ReplyDeleteThe building itself is unique and the stained glass add colours to the place.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the old ones myself, however the stain glass in this modern one is rather stunning
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting shape William, I like the way the stained glass windows inside follow the shape. I think I do prefer the o!d church but I don't hate the new!
ReplyDeletevery modern.
ReplyDeleteThey don't make churches like they used to. It's a completely different look. Compared to many of the European churches thee are still fairly modest. I really like the stained glass.
ReplyDeleteI built two churches in my time...both were rectangular in shape. It seemed to make theological and liturgical sense/
ReplyDelete@Gerald: in this case, so different to my eyes!
ReplyDelete@Halcyon: whoever did them, really did beautiful work.
@Linda: I did too.
@Tomas: I agree!
@Bill: and I was passing by yesterday and noticed a bell in the front.
@Gracita: thank you!
@Gemma: it certainly is.
@Marianne: definitely!
@Jan: I do too.
ReplyDelete@Beth: it is such a contrast to the church that preceded it, which in fact turns out to be just up the street from this location.
@Nancy: they really do. The intimacy of the sanctuary and the chapel appealed to me.
@Mo: it's an entirely different effect than a conventional church, but it really works.
@Grace: what struck me was how if the fire had happened ten years earlier, the architectural design might well have ended up with something ugly- the 1960s were not a good time for architecture, but this being later, it turned out very well.
@Tex: definitely!
@Red: it's a refreshing switch from the usual Gothic we see here in the core, though I do love Gothic styles.
@Lowell: I did like the concepts behind the design of this one.
As I recall, students need all the prayers they can get. I like the design also.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos and a very interesting history!
ReplyDeleteI like the modern stained glass!
ReplyDeleteThose stained glass windows are very colorful.
ReplyDeleteI really like this!
ReplyDeleteVERY contemporary and VERY colorful. A feast for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteWiIliam, I also love the expanse and views in your first photo! Oh, and thanks so much for voting in my new poll...your vote did take! I am amazed at how few like the summer. The winter doesn't surprise me that it would be in the minority but seeing the summer having as few votes as it does actually makes my day! I am not alone in disliking it. :)
ReplyDelete@Birdman: especially at exam time!
ReplyDelete@VP: thanks!
@RedPat: I did too.
@Sharon: they certainly are.
@Norma: I do too.
@Revrunner: definitely!
@Linda: you're most welcome.
That stained glass is quite something William...
ReplyDeleteIt is very pretty, but I went to the link and oh my! What a shame that beautiful church is gone.
ReplyDeleteThe stained glass is incredible. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteLove the stained glass windows and wonderful history to it to ! Thanks for sharing . Lovely photos ! Have a good weekend !
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see this church, but I am a traditionalist and like the older cruciform church layout.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite an unusual look and a very striking contrast to the old traditional form it had. The glass is gorgeous and I suspect it's rather more human scaled.
ReplyDeleteLike the stained glass windows !
ReplyDeleteGreat colourful art in there!
ReplyDeleteI like it.
The modern stained glass is stunning!
ReplyDeleteWilliam, I am constantly surprised that lightning doesn't strike when you photograph these churches! :-)
ReplyDeleteP.S. hubby gave up Catholicism for Lent 40 years ago, or so he says!
Excellent interior shots! The last two are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLovely stained glass!
ReplyDelete@Geoff: I agree!
ReplyDelete@Lois: it would have been grand back in its day.
@Mari: you're welcome.
@Country Gal: a pleasure to do so.
@Jack: this is quite different from the traditional.
@Kay: it is. The chapel is not at all overwhelming. You could probably fit no more than twenty people in there.
@Karl: so do I.
@Gunn: thanks!
@EG: I agree.
@Jennifer: you'd think by now it would have.
@Linda: thanks!
@Jackie: definitely.