Convent of the Redemptoristines

Convent of the Redemptoristines
Couvent des Rédemptoristines
Shown within Central Quebec
Basic information
Geographic coordinates 47°01′31″N 70°55′46″W / 47.025296°N 70.929348°W / 47.025296; -70.929348Coordinates: 47°01′31″N 70°55′46″W / 47.025296°N 70.929348°W / 47.025296; -70.929348
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Municipality Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Province Québec
Country Canada
Year consecrated 1907
Ecclesiastical or organisational status convent
Status abandoned
Heritage designation immovable
Architectural description
Architect(s) Georges-Emile Tanguay
Architectural style Gothic Revival architecture
General contractor Morissette et Côté
Groundbreaking 1905
Completed 1907
Materials brick
Official name: Couvent des Rédemptoristines
Designated 2001
Reference no. 8687
[1][2]

The Convent of the Redemptoristines (French: Couvent des Rédemptoristines) is a convent in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Québec, Canada that once was home to nuns of the Redemptoristines order. Owing to its Gothic Revival architecture and importance in the region's religious history, it was added to the Cultural heritage register of Quebec in 2001.[1][2] A decline in religious vocations resulted in a loss of numbers, and remaining elderly nuns moved to another site in the 1990s. The property was essentially abandoned after being used temporarily for other operations.

In 2015 the property was purchased by a real-estate developer[3], who plans to redevelop it for funeral services.

History

The first Redemptoristine nuns arrived in the city in 1905. Some months later, the foundation for the convent was started. Completed in 1907, the large, three-story convent was home to Redemptoristine nuns into the 1990s. With changes in vocations, the number of nuns declined in the order. The needs of old age forced the remaining nuns to relocate to Sainte-Thérèse north of Montreal. For a short while after, the convent was occupied by Assumptionists. Following a string of other tenants, the convent was indefinitely abandoned in 2014.[1]

Because of its importance in the region's religious history and its architecture, the convent was declared a heritage site in 2001. Of neo-gothical inspiration, the building is three stories high and is located on a hill dominating the nearby Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Composed of three wings arranged in a U-shape and constructed using yellow bricks, the architecture of the building is highly imposing and institutional, as was common during that period.[1]

Current status

In 2014, the owners of the convent, the Redemptorists could no longer afford the high upkeep costs of the building and decided to cut the heating. They maintained only the exterior. and let the building fall in disrepair. In 2015 it was purchased by a real-estate developer[3], who has proposed to convert it to a funeral home.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Couvent des Rédemptoristines". Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec (in French). Ministry of Culture and Communications (Quebec). Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Couvent des Rédemptoristines". Canada's Historic Places. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Nouveau propriétaire au couvent des Rédemptoristines". Journal L'Autre Voix, membre du groupe Québec Hebdo (in French). Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  4. ↑ Benoit, Prisca (10 February 2016). "Changement de vocation pour le couvent des Rédemptoristines" (in French). L'autre Voix. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
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