Architecture & Meaning
The Steeple - Pointing to Heaven
The steeple was not only an integral part of the church's gothic architecture, but delivers an important spiritual message.
When it was standing, the spire, which rose to a height of about 150 feet, could be seen from the farthest limits of the parish, pointing like the finger of God to the world beyond the skies. Its silver-toned bell can still be heard for miles beyond the parish confines like the voice of God calling the people to worship and prayer.
The Gothic Architecture
The Architect was Joseph Connolly, a foremost architect in the 19th century who also designed St. Peters Basilica in London, St. Mary’s in Toronto and the Church of Our Lady in Guelph. The structure is symmetrical throughout, both in its interior and exterior, its spacious and lofty nave and chancel, its altars and arches, windows, turrets, tower and spire all point gracefully and uniformly to heaven.
As the Bishop of that time, Bishop Fallon, remarked on entering the portals of this church, one’s soul spontaneously rises to celestial heights, borne aloft by the upward sweep of its gothic lineaments and the spiritual beauties of this “domus Dei et porta caeli”.
The Aspe
The apse is built in the shape of a semicircle to represent the prow of a ship and faces east to Christ’s birthplace.
The Trefoils & Quatrefoils
The architecture as well as the decorations are symbolic and include many examples of trefoils (three circles combined to represent the Trinity) and quatrefoils (four circles joined to represent the cross).
The Rose Window
A large rose window in the west wall of the building has within it twelve main circles that represent each of the apostles and also depicts their coat of arms.