St. John's Lutheran Church, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Lutheran Churches on Waymarking.com

The building was constructed in 1907 by architect Mr. R. Montgomery Rodden.

The church is unusual because it was built on the husp of the neo-Gothic and Art Noveau. Its strong vertical lines in simple stone contrast with the Gothic arched, stained glass windows. But then again, the lily-design of the stained glass incinuates art-deco.

This style is not often seen in Montreal and contrasts to the Anglican neo-Gothic constructions and classical Roman examples.

The chaste lines of the building accompanied by the trees and garden surrounding it provide much needed aesthetic relief on the corner of Jeanne Mance and Prince Arthur. We note how many people halt and look at our flowers, lean-up on the fence gazing at the greenery, or sit down on either of our two sets of front steps, especially to have lunch or a snack. The smooth stone and elegant lines, combined with the arched doors and windows does not have the bombastic or imposing sentiment evidenced, for example in the former Presbyterian church across the street. Being recessed from the street and allowing for a garden was part of the orginal design; the intention was to provide not only spiritual space on the interior but also a reflection of the wonder of creation on the outside (trees and flower garden). This combination of simple lines and surrounding green space made the church noteoworthy at the time of its dedication when the Montreal Daily called the new Lutheran church "one of the nicest little churches of the city." In today's city, the church provides an oasis in the midst of an area dominated by the LaCité development of the late 70's.

The interior of the church is finished entirely in dark oak with a barrel vault ceiling holding a large brass chandelier, especially designed and executed for the building. The entire front is covered in Frescoes, painted in 1920. Two additional canvasses adorned the left and right sides of the chancel. The original brass lighting fixtures line the walls. The interior decoration reflects the style of protestantism on the continent in Europe: a combination of respect for the arts (i.e. painting and music) while at the same time striving for simplicity. This example of the German solution to blending two ideals is very different from the solution found in English churches (i.e. Anglican) or radical reformation styles (i.e. Presbyterian, United Church, Baptist). The German continental style, from its Lutheran reformation roots, continued to extol the mediaval use of the arts in architecture and in the archetectonics for worship while at the same time maintaining a concern that these features serve as vehicles of inspiration and not ends in themselves. Hence, an incorporation of rich textures distinguishes itself in the heavy oak interior of St. John's, yet without the ornate carving as might be seen in Anglican choirstalls. Still, St. John's contains several original wood carvings (two statues of evangelists and the corpus on the main altar cross) done by one of its members in the late twenties, as well as a large bas releif panel in the entrance executed in the fifties and sixties by artists still living.

The frescoes follow the model of medieaval church decoration but with the subjects being immi grants turned in worship to the altar/cross at the centre of the frescoe wall. Two canvasses on the left and right sides, at the head of the side aisles, depict the theological heart of the Christian faith: the death of Christ and the resurrection of Christ. The crucifixion canvass is peculiar in its setting of the scene into a germanic-style landscape with a Germanic Jesus. It reflects the German version of the popular turn of the century trend by Europeans to make Jesus their own ethnic super-hero. The use in the resurrection canvass of Mary at the empty tomb with Jesus in the background is significant for Lutherans. German Lutherans much more so than their scandanavian and Eastern European counterparts, were willing to depict Mary in her biblical role. In this canvass it is she who is front, centre at the tomb. This portrayal in St. John's is different than depictions of the resurrection common to other Lutheran churches in Canada and to motifs commonly used in Lutheran churchesin Europe. The use of Mary at the empty tomb could reflect interaction with local styles (i.e. Marian influence in Roman Catholic art), but recasting the usage into a Lutheran mode (i.e. depiction of biblical scene).

A well-established congregation, St. John's has been adapting to changing times since well before Canada became a country (founded 1853). Begun by German residents of Montreal and originally located near the St. Lawrence market, St. John's continues to provide ministry and focus to Christians and inquirers searching for community with God.

Still active in the German milieu, St. John's increasingly receives new members from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Many denominational backgrounds are represented, but the goal for community is simple: faith and people. In the midst of a diverse city, a community gathers to pray and offer thanksgiving, to seek healing from the pain of sin, and to celebrate the love and mercy of God.

Regular Sunday Services
9:30 German-language liturgy
11:00 English-language liturgy
11:00 Sunday School

Active Church: Yes School on property: Yes Date Built: 01/01/1907 Service Times: 9:30 German, 11:00 English Website: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log User Rating   12/15/2014 Lucky_Al visited it 07/30/2014 new8812 visited it 07/20/2014 CONPER visited it 04/05/2014 tatie visited it 04/13/2012 lison55 visited it

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