St. James United Church — Attraction in Montreal

St. James United Church (Église unie Saint-James) is a significant heritage site located in downtown Montreal at 463 Sainte-Catherine Street West, near McGill Metro station. Established in 1803, the current Gothic Revival structure was designed by architect Alexander Francis Dunlop and constructed between 1887 and 1889. At its inception, it was the largest Methodist church in Canada, earning the nickname "Cathedral Church of Methodism." In 1925, it became part of the United Church of Canada following the union of Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist denominations.

The church is renowned for its architectural features, including twin spires, intricate stonework, and a unique false apse housing church offices. Inside, it boasts a Casavant Frères organ and a World War I memorial stained glass window by Charles William Kelsey, dedicated to congregation members who served in the war.

In 1927, a commercial building was erected in front of the church's façade to generate income, concealing it from view for 78 years. A significant restoration project in 2005, supported by the city and provincial government, removed the obstructing structure, revealing the church's façade and creating a public square designed by Claude Cormier.

Today, St. James United Church stands as a testament to Montreal's rich religious and...

The facade of this church was hidden for 78 years by a commercial building. With the partial demolition of that building, the facade of Saint James became visible again in 2005. Since the church is now designated a historical place by the provincial and federal governments, the facade and the church will hopefully be protected from defacement. The church needs a serious restoration effort. Walk around to the back and you will notice oddly placed pipes that need to be removed and stonework that requires cleaning. Recently, after the re-opening of the church following a long closure that was related to the Covid pandemic, the church has redone its color lighting scheme. The lighting of the centerpiece altar is...

The building is beautiful from outside, but once you step inside you realize it's crumbling down and on Sundays they manage to get at the most 50 people in attendance. I have been a few times and the preacher always make the sermon about him, with the same stories (about being a chaplain to patients with AIDS in the 90's). The crowd is rather peculiar, I went with younger brother who is an architect and a civil engineer and wanted to visit the building, we sat close to the front on a side row and there was a creepy older guy, probably in his 80's and wearing pants with a plaid pattern checking out both of us, repeatedly... I heard his name, "David" as we were leaving and someone came to say...