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Because History repeats itself...
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Sites emblématiques menacés - 2006
The CHUM project on the Saint-Denis/Viger Block
Saint-Denis, Viger, Sanguinet and de La Gauchetière Block
Architectural Value
The block located between Saint-Denis, Viger, Sanguinet and de La Gauchetière streets forms an architecturally interesting streetscape. Its contribution to the heritage aspects of Saint-Denis Street dates from the mid-19th century. It contains Victorian greystone houses as well as a church tower that is a significant urban landmark, despite its relatively recent vintage – reconstructed in 1923 after a fire. Finally, the path of de La Gauchetière Street bears witness to its origins in the French Régime.
Historic Value
Constructed as an Anglican church in 1865, Holy Trinity Church was renamed Saint-Sauveur upon its acquisition by the Syrian Melchites. It testifies to the diversity of communities that have been located in the Quartier Latin.
The Threat
As part of its downtown hospital development project, The Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) plans to totally redevelop this block, without conserving any existing structures. This will mean the demolition of heritage buildings. As well, the historic integrity of the Saint-Denis Street architectural landscape will be lost, with the elimination of the church steeple and the stone buildings facing both sides of the street. The continuity of de La Gauchetière Street will be broken with the construction of a building to provide a bridge between different parts of the hospital complex.
Initiatives of Héritage Montréal
Héritage Montréal has written to the Minister of Health about the significance and heritage importance of the urban surroundings of the project. Contrary to rumours to the effect that Héritage Montréal is interested only in saving some of the church’s stained glass windows, the organization has met with CHUM authorities and Ville-Marie Borough officials to stress our concerns related to heritage and planning, including the importance of Saint-Denis Street and the church.
To help safeguard this site, write to us.
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