One of the finest forms of architectural achievements made by our ancestral ages are Churches and Cathedrals. They claim to testify the feelings of spirituality and belief that dominate every moment of our life. The Churches built during the olden times are the tallest and finest constructions. These architecturally most complex, expressive and equally beautiful buildings prove their significance of their age. Communities gathered at churches for all kinds of celebrations and grief that crossed their lives. These repositories of priceless artistic intelligence and effort, ancestral data and documentation, were the social centers of mankind. Along with the art and beauty, the power of the prayers and worshipping they witnessed in their young age, make them such interesting places to visit in times to today.

One such marvelous church is the Notre-Dame Basilica of Canada in North America. Notre-Dame Basilica (French: Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal) is a basilica. It is in the historical district of Old Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Gothic Revival architecture of the church is probably the kind of most dramatic in the world. The work of constructing this sacred building began in 1824 and after two years the huge walls and the façade far as the tower base were erected. The wooden work ended in 1827 and vaulting and original interiors concluded in 1829.

With the birth of Notre-Dame Basilica, was also born, the introduction of neo-gothic vocabulary to religious architecture. The architect James O’Donnell, who was commissioned to design the church building, used neo-gothic elements to add to the décor of the church. It causes the over all effect and the symbolic value to preside over the construction logic. This idea of construction which is more inspired by traditional classicism was established, firmly, during the 17th and 18th centuries. O’Donnell was so much in love with this church he worked upon, that he decided to convert to Catholicism during the last few moments of his life, only to be buried in this church after he died. His body is the only one buried in the crypt of the church.

The interiors of the church took quite a lot of time compared to that of building it. Victor Bourgeau was commissioned to do them. The church has grand and colorful interiors, with ceiling of the color deep blue and decorated with golden colored stars. Rest of the architecture of the church consists of colors like blue, azure, red, purple, silver, gold and so on. Hundreds of intricate carvings, made on wooden boards, fill the church along with religious statues. The whole building is rectangular in shape, inclusive of the towers. The walls of the church sanctuary have stained glass windows that, instead of depicting biblical scenes, show scenes from the religious Montreal history about Montreal’s Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral. The work went on, commencing in1872 till 1879.

Talking little about the times of now, the basilica offers musical programming which show choral and organ performances. It is a tradition amongst the people of Montreal to attend the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah held every wintry Christmas eve in December.