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Saint-Antoine l'Ermite Church

28 de l'Église Avenue, Saint-Antoine, New Brunswick, E4V, Canada

Formally Recognized: 2006/04/08

Photo taken shortly after the completion of the stone church in 1923.; Valmond Léger Collection
Saint-Antoine l'Ermite Church in 1924
View of the rear of Saint-Antoine l'Ermite Church, 2005; Daniel Léger
Saint-Antoine l'Ermite Church
No Image

Other Name(s)

n/a

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1923/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2007/05/11

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

Saint-Antoine l'Ermite Church consists of a large Neoclassical stone church and a lot on de l'Église Avenue in Saint-Antoine.

Heritage Value

Saint-Antoine l’Ermite Church is designated a Local Historic Place for its association with the lasting presence of religion in the village and for its architecture.

Built in the Neoclassical style, Saint-Antoine l’Ermite Church continues to be the principal place of worship for the Catholic community. Since its construction in 1923, it has been the tallest and most dominant structure in the village. In 1919, it was decided to build a new church to accommodate the growing congregation. Noted Acadian architect René-Arthur Fréchet and Father Philippe Hébert of Notre-Dame drew up the plans for what would be the largest stone church in the area at that time. Under the direction of Father Allain, the transportation of rocks from a quarry in Notre-Dame started in 1920. No fewer than 1,500 loads of stones were required in order to begin building the church in 1923.

Saint-Antoine l’Ermite Church also represents a good example of Neoclasscial religious architecture from the early 20th century in Saint-Antoine. The church exhibits this style through such elements as the Roman arch door and window openings, rectangular massing and symmetrical façade with central bell tower. The church sits on a mature landscaped lot.

Sources: Village of Saint-Antoine Municipal Office, file A7, "church and presbytery"

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe Saint-Antoine l'Ermite Church include:
- lot with mature landscaping;
- rectangular massing of the structure;
- stone walls;
- symmetrical façade with central bell tower;
- Roman arch door and window openings;
- mosaic windows and wooden doors, most dating back to the construction of the church in 1923;
- wooden pews inside the church;
- altar and statues dating from the completion of the interior of the church;
- immense interior columns supporting the building.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

New Brunswick

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (NB)

Recognition Statute

Local Historic Places Program

Recognition Type

Municipal Register of Local Historic Places

Recognition Date

2006/04/08

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

Theme - Category and Type

Building Social and Community Life
Religious Institutions
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Philosophy and Spirituality
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design

Function - Category and Type

Current

Religion, Ritual and Funeral
Religious Facility or Place of Worship

Historic

Religion, Ritual and Funeral
Religious Institution

Architect / Designer

René Arthur Fréchet

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Village of Saint-Antoine Municipal Office - file A7 - "Église Saint-Antoine l'Ermite"

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

1019

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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