Philatelic Photograph: St. Joseph's Oratory - Montréal, PQ, Canada

Interesting Places I've Photographed

St. Joseph's Oratory

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N45° 29.457; W073° 37.009

Quick Description: 

St Joseph's Oratory is located at 3800 Chemin Queen Mary, Montréal, PQ, Canada.

Long Description: 

Saint Joseph's Oratory is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and shrine and is Canada's largest church. In 1904, Brother André Bessette, C.S.C., began the construction of St. Joseph's chapel on the west slope of Mont Royal. Soon a church with a larger seating capacity was required. In 1924, the construction of the present basilica of Saint Joseph's Oratory began. The church was opened to the public forty-three years later in 1967. 

The building was designed in the Renaissance style by Paul Bellot, Lucien Parent, Dalbé Viau, and Alphonse Venne. The characteristic feature of the basilica is the 406' high copper dome designed by Paul Bellot. It is third largest church dome in the world. The church is the highest point in the City of Montréal.

The basilica is dedicated to Saint Joseph one of the patron saints of Canada and the saint to whom Brother André credited his reported healing miracles. In October 2010 Pope Benedict XVI canonized Brother André Bessette.

The die cut stamp was issued by Canada on January 29, 2004 as part of the Tourist Attraction Series that began in 2001.