Saint Joseph's Oratory, Minor basilica in Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal, Canada.
Description
Saint Joseph's Oratory is a place of worship in Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal, Canada, built from grey granite and topped with a copper-clad dome. The interior holds up to 2,000 people and includes a crypt, a museum, and gardens arranged along the hillside.
History
Construction began in 1924 under the initiative of Brother André, who had earlier built a small wooden chapel on the site. The final completion with the large dome came only in 1967, more than four decades after the first work started.
Culture
The site takes its name from Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, and today serves as a pilgrimage destination with a room displaying crutches left behind by visitors. Inside the crypt rests Brother André's heart, preserved in a small reliquary that visitors can view.
Practical
Access is provided by stairs and an elevator running from the lower parking area up to the church level. Visitors who prefer walking can use the long outdoor staircase that climbs through the gardens.
Did you know?
The church dome sits roughly 300 meters (984 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest in North America. The entire structure spans several levels, so visitors climbing up can enjoy different views over Montreal.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce).
Quebec provides varied photographic settings across a province that combines French colonial heritage with extensive natural landscapes. In Quebec City, the stone buildings of Old Quebec, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, and Montmorency Falls with its 83-meter drop form key subjects. The historic...
Montreal combines historic sites and cultural institutions along the Saint Lawrence River. The city displays its religious past in structures like Notre-Dame Basilica, whose neo-gothic facade dates to the 1820s, and Saint Joseph's Oratory, a Catholic pilgrimage site on Westmount. Mount Royal rises...
Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery
1.3 km
Villa Maria
1.3 km
Westmount Summit
829 m
Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of Montreal
1.2 km
Musée historique canadien
349 m
Pavillon Decelles
599 m
Maison de la culture de Côte-des-Neiges
526 mRéserve naturelle du Père-Louis-Trempe
96 m
Côte-des-Neiges Armoury
1.2 km
Maison Simon-Lacombe
493 m
Monklands
1.2 km
Maison Braemar
1.3 km
Monument des Patriotes-du-Cimetière-de-Notre-Dame-des-Neiges
923 mLe Jardin des Hespérides
958 mLe buisson ardent
906 mLe Jardin des Hespérides
982 mHommage à Kodaly
1.1 kmMicropaysages
908 mJeanne au bûcher
1 kmMurales
1.2 kmSans titre
975 mLe poids de l'indécision
713 mSans qualification
673 mLa Montagne Retracée
746 mLe rendez-Vous
976 mWork of art, mural
1.1 kmStatue, Work of art
1.3 kmScenic viewpoint
852 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes