HISTORIC CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

HISTORIC CHURCH.

NOTRE DAME IN MONTREAL. PORTION OVER 250 YEARS OLD. Not ro Dame, one of the great churches of North America, is undergoing extensive repairs. The present building was erected more than a century ago, and it stands on a site dedicated for more than 250 years to Roman Catholic worship. It has accommodation for 10,000 persons and is the second largest church in North America. Notre Dame stands on the south side of Place d'Amies, where little bands of gallant Frenchmen fought the Indians to retain their frail hold on Canada in its early days. The original church dates back to 16i2, and the present building, erected in 1824, incorporates a chapel of the seventeenth century. Several years ago the building was struck by lightning and the whole structure was weakened. Tho effects of this blow, gradually becoming apparent, made necessary the present reconstruction which will preserve the dignified architecture of the church and its serene and weathered aspect. Two majestic towers are being replaced by more solid "pinnacles. Tho twin towers, 227 ft. high, contain ten bells, one of which, known as "Le Gros Bourdon," weighs 24,7801b5. and is the largest on the continent. Close beside Notre Dame stands the historic seminary of St. Sulpice, ono of the few remaining relics of the days of French rule in Canada.