Churches

Historical Churches in Montreal
Historical churches are riddled throughout Montreal.

Notre Dame Basilica Montreal is one of the many historical churches to visit while in Montreal.

Montreal is home to a number of beautiful historical churches. Although it might not be the city you think of when you consider religious history in Canada, it is home to four Roman Catholic basilicas. These churches stand out as a centre of liturgy in the church’s tradition. Only 1,580 churches around the world have been designated a basilica. Montreal houses a number of other stunning religious buildings. Here are seven churches that you should take time to visit and experience, even if you don’t belong to the faith.

 

Different Historical Churches in Montreal

  1. Church of La Visitation-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie – Although this church is not the oldest church in the city, it does have the oldest original structure and interior. It was finished in 1752, but the stained glass windows were not added until 1893. This structure does not have the exterior presence that some of the basilicas have, but the interior is absolutely breathtaking.
  2. Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel – Another very old church founded in 1655. The structure was rebuilt in the late 18th century on the ruins of another church. There’s a museum attached to the church where visitors can learn more about the church history and understand the importance of the altar painting.
  3. Saint Patrick’s Basilica – It took four years to construct this church, and it’s been preserved quite well since its completion in 1847. Saint Patrick’s claim is that it is the oldest English-speaking Roman Catholic church in the city. It houses more than 150 oil paintings. You might want to count the shamrocks or fleur-de-lis symbols.
  4. Church of Saint-Pierre-Apotre – Built in the mid-19th century, this church has also preserved its original interior. The only major change in the original was the installation of stained glass windows about 30 years after it was built. Make sure to visit the Chapel of Hope, which has been dedicated to the victims of AIDS.
  5. Saint Joseph’s Oratory – The Oratory is a national shrine and is Canada’s largest church. The architectural style is Renaissance. Stroll through the monumental walkway any season, but spring and summer are the best times to visit if you enjoy beautiful gardens. Plan to spend some time in the art museum, too.
  6. Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal – If you can’t make it to Paris to see the beautiful Notre Dame cathedral, visit this basilica in this local city. The pipe organ and wood sculptures make this church stand out as one of the city’s top attractions. This structure dates back almost 200 years to 1824.
  7. Church of Saint Genevieve – This church was founded in 1732. The structure wasn’t built until 1844, and it took another 20 years to finish the interior, which has been preserved for all to enjoy the beautiful white and gold colours. It’s a stunning monument that you shouldn’t miss.

Churches are vital to every community. The history of these churches tells a story about the people that helps us more deeply understand the city. Take some time to tour religious buildings and find out more about the heritage of your neighbors.

 

Why Are Churches Losing Attendance?
Why are churches are losing attendance?

Why are churches are losing attendance?

Pick up any Christian magazine or read one online, and you’ll find many theories about why churches are losing attendance. Many people believe that the church is no longer relevant. Some think that adults are choosing to ignore God. There are others who see the church as too hierarchal. In Canada, about 25 percent of adults identify as having no religious affiliation. Many studies have been done about the actual number of people who stop attending church, but very few look at the reasons why. The Church of Scotland, which is Scotland’s national church, commissioned a study about the lack of attendance. The findings were surprising.

One of the key beliefs in failing congregations is that the members lose faith in God and this is why they stop attending. Another issue that has been thought to ravage church membership is disagreements. Women still do not find support in leadership in many churches. The LGBTQ community is also disenchanted with the church, which is another reason that people stop attending. However, Dr. Steve Aisthorpe, the researcher who carried out the study for the Church of Scotland, found something interesting.

Are People Leaving Church or God?

Dr. Aisthorpe discovered that about 66 percent, or two-thirds, of those who left the church now practice and worship in different ways. Many still gather with like-minded individuals to discuss theological issues and pray together. They choose different venues, such as homes or parks, or even do activities together where they can share their faith and address questions they have about their convictions. Aisthorpe also found that this phenomenon was not different in rural and urban churches.

This suggests that it is the organization of the church that keeps people away. More people are turning away from large congregations for a more personalized worship ritual. Arguments and division may turn some people away from church, but this doesn’t indicate that they stop believing in God. A spokesman for the National Secular Society states that “Churches are out of step, and the people in the pews are voting with their feet.”

The Health of the Church and Religious Community

Although Dr. Aisthorpe carried out the majority of his research in Scotland, he did not only look at his own country to get information. He looked at related research from the Western world. He found changes in the attendance of Sunday morning worship, but he doesn’t believe that should be the only measure of the health of the Christian community and faith. His research suggests that churches are in a transitional period, rather than a decline.

What happens now with the church, in whatever denomination, is up to the individual community. Pastors, priests, and religious leaders need to find what works for their own congregation. The Christian community is not the only religion that is having a hard time filling their seats. Many Jewish synagogues are finding it difficult to maintain membership rolls. In Japan, religious organizations are facing the crisis of having to close Buddhist monasteries because the smaller communities cannot afford to support the monks. The rural areas do not have the number of people they once had, and those areas with more of a population are finding that nationals are not using the services of the temples.

Another key element that Dr. Aisthorpe’s research demonstrates is that the church leaders have to stop assuming and stereotyping those who do not attend church. The reasons that keep people away may have nothing to do with their actual faith in God. It’s easy to point to other problems when the congregation fails. Instead of pointing fingers, churches need to become more relevant and change their delivery system. This is how the world works. Most faiths are buried deep in rituals and traditions that are difficult to change, but as culture changes, so must religion.