Parks Canada
parkscanada.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
News Releases and Backgrounders
Backgrounder
Parks Canada’s National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program
Project Recipient: Church of Our Lady Immaculate
National Historic Site: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception National Historic Site
Total Project Cost: minimum of $192,730
Parks Canada’s Contribution: up to $96,365
Project Description:
This project consists in conserving five threatened stained glass windows located along the south nave wall of the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. If left unresolved, the degree of deflection in the stained-glass panels and the high level of deterioration of their wood frames may cause the glass to break and fall out. This investment will ensure that the commemorative integrity of this important national historic site is maintained for present and future generations and will support its continued use so that it remains an integral part of the community.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception National Historic Site
Inspired by the medieval cathedrals of France, the twin towers of this large stone church rise above the city centre in Guelph, Ontario. Constructed as the centerpiece of a complex of Roman Catholic religious and educational buildings, the church is prominently situated on the brow of a hill. It features elements inspired by the French Gothic Revival, including a twin-towered facade, a large rose window and a polygonal apse with radiating chapels. The formal recognition consists of the church building on its footprint.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was designated a national historic site in 1990 because it is an exceptional example of the High Victorian Gothic Revival style in Canadian architecture.
Unlike the earlier Ecclesiological phase of Gothic Revival, during which architects were restricted to certain correct precedents, the High Victorian Gothic Revival gave architects freedom to draw inspiration from a wide variety of periods and countries, while still following certain established principles as to composition and structure. Like many churches designed by English-speaking architects in the late 19th century, the design of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception shows the strong influence of the French Gothic Revival. Designed by Joseph Connolly, the principal architect for the Roman Catholic Church in Ontario, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception incorporates many French Gothic Revival features. Built in 1876-1888 with towers completed in 1925-1926, the church is considered to be Connolly’s best work.
Cost-Sharing Program
The National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program is a contribution program whereby up to 50% of eligible costs incurred in the conservation of a national historic site can be reimbursed. This year, the Program aimed to assist non-federal owners of national historic sites that demonstrated a real and immediate threat to the commemorative integrity of their national historic site and for which an intervention was required in the short term to maintain the physical integrity of the threatened cultural resource(s). A national historic site possesses commemorative integrity when it is healthy and whole, and when the site’s heritage values are protected, communicated and respected. The Program supports Parks Canada’s mandate of protecting and presenting places of national historic significance, and fostering the public’s understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of these places in ways that ensure their commemorative integrity for present and future generations.
-30-
National Historic Site: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception National Historic Site
Total Project Cost: minimum of $192,730
Parks Canada’s Contribution: up to $96,365
Project Description:
This project consists in conserving five threatened stained glass windows located along the south nave wall of the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. If left unresolved, the degree of deflection in the stained-glass panels and the high level of deterioration of their wood frames may cause the glass to break and fall out. This investment will ensure that the commemorative integrity of this important national historic site is maintained for present and future generations and will support its continued use so that it remains an integral part of the community.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception National Historic Site
Inspired by the medieval cathedrals of France, the twin towers of this large stone church rise above the city centre in Guelph, Ontario. Constructed as the centerpiece of a complex of Roman Catholic religious and educational buildings, the church is prominently situated on the brow of a hill. It features elements inspired by the French Gothic Revival, including a twin-towered facade, a large rose window and a polygonal apse with radiating chapels. The formal recognition consists of the church building on its footprint.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was designated a national historic site in 1990 because it is an exceptional example of the High Victorian Gothic Revival style in Canadian architecture.
Unlike the earlier Ecclesiological phase of Gothic Revival, during which architects were restricted to certain correct precedents, the High Victorian Gothic Revival gave architects freedom to draw inspiration from a wide variety of periods and countries, while still following certain established principles as to composition and structure. Like many churches designed by English-speaking architects in the late 19th century, the design of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception shows the strong influence of the French Gothic Revival. Designed by Joseph Connolly, the principal architect for the Roman Catholic Church in Ontario, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception incorporates many French Gothic Revival features. Built in 1876-1888 with towers completed in 1925-1926, the church is considered to be Connolly’s best work.
Cost-Sharing Program
The National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program is a contribution program whereby up to 50% of eligible costs incurred in the conservation of a national historic site can be reimbursed. This year, the Program aimed to assist non-federal owners of national historic sites that demonstrated a real and immediate threat to the commemorative integrity of their national historic site and for which an intervention was required in the short term to maintain the physical integrity of the threatened cultural resource(s). A national historic site possesses commemorative integrity when it is healthy and whole, and when the site’s heritage values are protected, communicated and respected. The Program supports Parks Canada’s mandate of protecting and presenting places of national historic significance, and fostering the public’s understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of these places in ways that ensure their commemorative integrity for present and future generations.
News Release associated with this Backgrounder.
