The posh and picturesque City of Westmount, situated adjacent to downtown Montreal, is an independent and predominantly English enclave of 19,700 residents. Much of the municipality has a Medieval, Victorian and sometimes Neo-Tudor flair. The Ascension of Our Lord Church is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture. I attended Saturday evening Mass there on December 27, joining around 50 parishioners and other visitors on the Feast of the Holy Family. The church is among Westmount’s architectural gems, alongside the neighbouring City Hall, Selwyn House School and, just a few blocks west along Sherbrooke Street, Victoria Hall and the Westmount Conservatory and Greenhouses.
Following an afternoon walk under a rich, blue winter sky — and some reading and much-needed warmth amidst tropical flowers and plants in the Conservatory — I headed over to the Ascension of Our Lord Church for the anticipatory Mass at 4:30 PM. Built in 1927, the Ascension of Our Lord is strikingly different in style to other churches constructed in the Montreal area during the first half of the twentieth century. A particularly noteworthy contrast can be drawn with St. Joseph’s Oratory, given the basilica church’s Art Deco interior and clean, angular lines. The Ascension of Our Lord has a grand, imposing bell-tower and an array of bas-relief sculptures both on the interior and exterior, alongside striking iconography in the sanctuary.
In the January 28, 1927 issue of The Montreal Gazette, in an article entitled “English-Speaking Catholics Secure Fine Land for House of Worship,” we learn that the 54,000 square feet of land was purchased from the Congregation of the Grey Nuns. At the time, Fr. Wilfrid E. McDonagh told the paper that it was the intention of the parish to “erect a magnificent church, entirely in keeping with the many noble buildings which are situated in the heart of Westmount.”
On December 27, still solidly the Christmas season in the Roman Catholic liturgical year, the sanctuary was beautifully decorated with a Nativity scene, two lit Christmas trees, and wreaths.
The Parish has a robust music ministry, bolstered by the addition of four students from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music to the church choir, as section heads. While the full choral experience is reserved for Sunday 10:30 AM Mass, the Saturday evening liturgy was accompanied by an organist, who played the Casavant pipe organ installed in 1930, along with a cantor singing from the choir loft. Joel Peters, originally from Saskatchewan, directs the Parish’s music ministry and is a composer in his own right. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” served as the entrance hymn, while during Communion we sang “Away in a Manger,” followed by “Once in Royal David’s City” as the recessional hymn.
The Pastor, Fr. Lawrence MacEachen, presided at the Mass. In his homily, he spoke of the importance of family, an apt theme in light of the feast day. He spoke of visitors, like this author, travelling to spend time with family over Christmas and heading home after the holidays refreshed from the time spent together. Fr. MacEachen shared:
Christ came as a member of a family. On the first Sunday after Christmas, in every Catholic church around the world, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth and we give thanks for the wonder of the family unit today, for the peace and joy it brings. This day is a time for us to appreciate where we came from, to appreciate that our parents cared for us and formed us, particularly in the faith. We have received the precious gift of a loving and caring Creator. It was He who created family life, the family unit. And He promised that He will be with us in the thick of things, He would accompany us in our troubles and trials. The family must never be taken for granted. Family life must be protected and nurtured. It cannot be explained — it must be experienced to be appreciated. I think that’s why the Church gives us this particular day — to recall the significance of family life.
Following Mass, Fr. MacEachen made himself abundantly available in the church’s entrance area, taking his time to chat with parishioners and visitors alike. He listened attentively to news and updates from parishioners about visiting relatives and how families spent their Christmas holiday together.
Christopher Adam
Born in Montreal, Christopher Adam has called Ottawa home for the past twenty years. He received his MA from Carleton University, with a thesis focusing on twentieth century European church history, and a PhD in History from the University of Ottawa. Over the years, he has published widely and works in the faith-based charitable sector in Ottawa.