History

On May 1st 1870, our very first priest, Fr Lapierre, celebrated mass in a wooden chapel. Twenty years later, the stone church was built.

The parish was legally created in 1875. It is what canon law (church law) calls a territorial church, not linked to any particular language but to the territory of Pointe-Saint-Charles. In fact, for the first eight years the church served both the English and the French Catholics of the Pointe. In 1883, Saint Charles was founded and the French church was later erected in the lot next to Saint Gabriel's. 

For many years the English-speaking community grew and spawned initiatives which had effects beyond the boundaries of the parish. One of these initiatives brought the Presentation Brothers to Montreal.

In 1956 the rectory was spared but the church was completely destroyed by fire, except for the stone walls. But as always, the people of the Pointe rose to the occasion and the church was rebuilt, with a different style. The steeple was never rebuilt.

The number of English-speaking Catholics in the Pointe decreased over the years, however, many former residents, and in fact many others from the greater Montreal area, adopted St Gabriel's as their own.

The Irish in particular are very fond of the parish to this day. The Mass of Anticipation has been celebrated in the church each March on the Sunday before the annual Montreal Saint Patrick’s parade. And on the last Sunday of May, after Sunday service, there is a ceremonial walk from the church to the Black Stone (at the foot of Victoria Bridge). It is there that so many Irish and the many French Canadians who cared for them, died of typhus in the mid-1800’s.

Today, our Christian community is enriched by people of other cultures, and remains vibrant and open to all. An elevator lift for the physically handicapped has been added. The church building will be undergoing renovations (roof, walls, etc.) We look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm.