St. Patrick Church
St. Patrick's is the oldest Catholic Church in Halifax and was opened in 1885 and is currently closed. Our parish is happy to preserve some of the legacy with these virtual tours, photos and videos of the building.
IMAGES OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
a film by The Friends of St. Patrick's Church
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PRODUCER'S NOTES:
"Images of Saint Patrick's Church", chronicles the beauty, history and significance of a pre-confederation parish, on the verge of extinction. Once described as... "The Most Beautiful Church in Canada." Successive waves of Acadian, Scottish, Italian, Dutch and African families advanced on the foundation and aspirations of 1840s Irish Immigrants.
Experience the sound of the massive 1890s Casavant Freres organ. Opus 90 is one of the original organs built by the legendary Quebec manufacturer. Saint Patrick's is an accusative marvel and a national treasure.
In secular terms this Gothic Revival structure has survived two world wars and the horrendous 1917 Halifax Explosion. However, despite several historical designations, this touchstone of national heritage was about to fall victim to urban renewal. This 1883 Gothic beauty is truly a "Canadian Work of Art."
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In 2008 Saint Patrick's Church was identified as one of the Top 10 Endangered Properties in Canada. This entertaining visual journey through time, explores our collective heritage and is complemented by the sweet Celtic sounds of local artists, Ardith & Jennifer. A sound steeped in traditional energy, yet wonderfully sensitive and modern. Their exciting music is an integral part of the warmth and beauty of these images.
Images of Saint Patrick's beauty and history is an invaluable link from our past to our future.
Prayer for the Faithful
by St. Patrick
May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.
- Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and forevermore. Amen.
Church History
In the early 1880s, the Irish Catholic faithful of Halifax's north end felt a new St Patrick’s Church was needed to serve their comunity. The cornerstone was laid on August 8, 1883 by Archbishop Cornelius O'Brien, Halifax's first Canadian-born archbishop. The cornerstone contains copies of the constitution of the Charitable Irish Society of Halifax. Cornelius O'Brien took a very active role to hasten the new church along. He was also destined to become a key builder of Saint Mary's University.
Funds for St. Patrick's came from merchants, labourers, professionals, the general public, and others. Those who could not give large amounts for the building gave 25 cents per month. Those who could not give a donation gave their time, so there was ample manpower at the construction site.
In August, 1883, the Catholic ladies of Halifax held a Grand Bazaar on Spring Garden Road, next to the Court House. Over 10 days, 15,000 people visited the fair, and a profit of $17,000 was realized for the church building fund.
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The building had progressed so well that the Morning Herald of December 18, 1883 states: "Never during any previous building operation in the city, was so much accomplished in so short a time."
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This was due to three reasons:
(1) The builder, Henry Peters, planned ahead and had materials on site when needed;
(2) Archbishop Cornelius O'Brien visited the site every day, week in week out, to make sure the job got done;
(3) The parishioners gave freely of their time, in whatever way they could, to see their new church take shape.​
The new St. Patrick's Church was officially opened December 22, 1885.
​Inside St. Patrick's, artistic expressions of the great civilizing ideal of selfless detachment and spirituality, our belief that God may be approached through beauty, our feeling of compassion, our sense of unity with others, and much more could be found. Perhaps this helps explain the outstanding contributions of the St. Patrick's community to the religious, educational, civic and business life of Halifax.
St Patrick's Church was known for its compassionate assistance to individuals facing the, often harsh, realities of the world in the inner city. Its initiatives, for example, included establishing Saint Vincent de Paul's charities in 1867 and Hope Cottage in 1971.
St. Patrick's Church, part of Nova Scotia's built heritage, stood as a gracious symbol of personal faith as well as a powerful marker of community history and culture.
Repairs being undertaken after surviving the Halifax Explosion, December 6, 1917.