The Second Church (1755 – 1881)

By the mid-18th century, Pointe-Claire was a rapidly growing and increasingly complex community. With the original wooden chapel no longer adequate, the parish embarked on an ambitious project to build a new, larger stone church that would reflect the settlement’s newfound prosperity and permanence.

The second church minus its steeple, 13 March 1867
(Source: Committee for Construction and Sacret Art, Archdiocese of Montreal)

A Community Project

The need for a new church was driven by the significant development of the seigneury. With all the lakeside lots occupied, new land grants were being issued in the “back country,” and a growing class of local professionals was enriching the village’s social fabric.
To finance the new building, the church wardens met at the presbytery on July 8, 1742, and agreed to implement a parish-wide levy. From Christmas 1742 until the church’s completion, parishioners were required to contribute annually, with payments accepted in money, goods like corn, or even manual labor. This was a true community-wide effort.

“The second church”, 1867 by A.S. Brodeur
(Source: Lake St.Louis Old and New, Désiré Girouard, 1893)

A Grander Vision

Completed in 1755, the new church was a substantial structure, measuring 105 feet long by 40 feet wide. Its design was heavily influenced by the Neoclassical style of the church in Oka, a popular architectural model of the time. The façade was adorned with two columns, an octagonal spire, a bell tower, and a steeple, making it a grand and imposing landmark for the growing community.

From Christmas 1742 until the church’s completion, parishioners were required to contribute annually, with payments accepted in money, goods like corn, or even manual labor.

The rear of the second church and the tresle holding the bell, 13 March 1867
(Source: Committee for Construction and Sacret Art, Archdiocese of Montreal)

A Tragic End: The Fire of 1881

The new (third) church was on the very point of completion when disaster struck. On Easter Sunday, April 17, 1881, a fire broke out in the second church building. Fanned by strong winds, the flames quickly spread to the brand new, nearly finished third church.
In a devastating turn of events, both churches were burned to the ground. This tragic fire marked a pivotal moment in the history of the parish.

Rising from the Ashes

The fire of 1881 was a devastating blow, but it was not the end of the story. Discover how the resilient community of Pointe-Claire rebuilt its spiritual heart.