Saint Joseph's Cathedral

Built in 1947-1948, this Art Deco cathedral is the most ambitious church project in Abitibi-Témiscamingue since the construction of Saint-André Church in La Sarre in 1928 and Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila Cathedral in 1923. 

Within the Catholic community of Rouyn-Noranda, the former parish of Saint-Joseph quickly took on considerable importance. Created in 1946, it came to support the mother parish, Saint-Michel-Archange, which was no longer able to meet the spiritual needs of a rapidly growing population on its own.

Still in use today, this cathedral is the only place of worship still operating in the Sainte-Trinité parish, created in 2005 by the merger of the six French-speaking parishes in downtown Rouyn-Noranda. 

Photo credit: Paul Trépanier

The center of the main facade immediately catches the eye with its finely cut and sculpted Saint-Marc-des-Carrières limestone cladding. Beneath a majestic mitre arch are three entrance portals with decorated tympanums and a large window above them. In the center of this arch is a monumental cross, within which is inscribed a second cross, adding a symbolic and aesthetic dimension to the whole.

On both sides, the side walls feature a series of windows arranged in triplets, spread over three levels and also topped with mitre arches. This motif is repeated on the high windows of the transept and on those of the side sections housing the stairwells, creating a visual coherence that unifies the entire architecture of the building.

Photo credit: Paul Trépanier

The octagonal bell tower was added between 1956 and 1957 according to plans by Montreal architects Robillard, Jetté, and Baudouin. 

Its eight openings, designed without sound baffles, feature metal crossbars mullions that echo the stone tracery of the large windows on the facade, creating a harmonious visual reference. Topping the ensemble, a four-sided spire covered with black enamel sheet metal soars toward the sky, crowned by a tall cross that marks the silhouette of the building.

Photo credit: Paul Trépanier

Note the unfinished bell tower surrounded by scaffolding. Another important detail is that the ornamental iron lampposts were not present at the time. 

Photo credit: BAnQ 

Here you can see the interior of the church around 1960, before the 1965 renovation. 

Photo credit: Archives of the Holy Trinity Parish

This photo shows the interior of the church around 1970. Have fun comparing the previous photo with this one and observe the differences made by the 1965 renovation. 

Photo credit: Archives of the Holy Trinity Parish

As you can see, the rectory in this photo is not the one you see today. Although it has been replaced by a more modern building, the building shown here still exists! It was moved to the same street, right next to the Ukrainian Church of Christ the King, where it also served as a rectory.

Photo taken from the book 50 ans à raconter Paroisse Saint-Joseph

Built between 1946 and 1950, Saint Joseph's Cathedral stands out for its Art Deco architecture, a rarity in the region at the time. Designed by architects Martineau and Talbot, it features noble materials, including local granite for the foundation and a facade carved with geometric motifs.

Its bell tower, added in 1956, modernizes the complex and houses the largest carillon in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.

Beyond its aesthetics, the building bears witness to the exceptional ambition of a young parish, supported by a remarkable commitment from the community. Long considered a 'de facto cathedral,' Saint-Joseph officially obtained this title in 2003, confirming its major role in the religious heritage of Rouyn-Noranda.

In the photo, see the interior of the church as it is today! 

Photo credit: Paul Trépanier

- 1946 Foundation of the Saint-Joseph parish (canonical establishement) and design (plans dated October 1946)

- 1947 Construction of the foundation

- 1948 Construction of the church and blessing of the cornerstone

- 1949 Interior finishing

- 1950 Blessing of the church

- 1956-1957 Construction of the bell tower and installation of an eight-bell carillon

- 1965 Renovation of the interior (Marcel Jetté)

- 1991 Renovations (upgrading to safety standards)

- 2005 Creation of the Holy Trinity Parish

- Its location facing a forecourt overlooking two public roads

- Its location adjacent to the parish presbytery

- Its rectangular shape and gabled roof

- Its materials, including two types of granite (black and gray) and carved limestone

- Its large windows and triplets of miter-shaped arched windows 

- Its high steps

- Its main facade with three double doors

- Its central bell tower with dials at the bell chamber level