Sainte-Anne Catholic Church, Ottawa

Located in the Lowertown neighborhood of Ottawa, Sainte-Anne Catholic Church stands proudly on Old Saint Patrick Street. Constructed in 1873 by the architect J.P. LeCourt, the church showcases the traditional architectural style found in Quebec. It remains one of the few examples of its kind in Ontario. Serving as the spiritual home of Saint Clement Parish, a bilingual community, Ste-Anne is attended to by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter.

The exterior of the building exhibits a modest stone facade adorned with a medieval-inspired rose window. Classical rounded arches grace the doors, windows, and three statuary niches. Contrasting with the simplicity of the stone facade, an intricately detailed three-tiered belfry crowns the structure.

Bishop Joseph-Bruno Guigues played a crucial role in the establishment of this church, recognizing the need for a new place of worship as Ottawa's French Catholic population outgrew the Notre Dame Cathedral in the 1870s. On May 4, 1873, Bishop Guigues laid the cornerstone, marking the beginning of this sacred endeavor.

In April 2009, the church roof collapsed, and it took 18 months to restore. After reopening, the church struggled with attendance and economic issues, leading the Archdiocese of Ottawa to temporarily close it. Fortunately, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast offered Saint Clement Parish the chance to worship at Sainte-Anne's instead. The parish accepted, and they started holding Masses there on June 3, 2012.

As a testament to its historical and cultural significance, Sainte-Anne Catholic Church has been designated as a heritage property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.