Description of Historic Place

Built in 1934, Saint-Basile Church is a rectangular brick church inspired by the Gothic Revival style with two bell towers on the façade. It is located on Principale Street in Saint-Basile.

Heritage Value

Saint-Basile Church is designated a Local Historic Place for its location, its architecture, and its locally designed interior elements.

The heritage value of the Saint-Basile Church lies in the fact that it was built on the site of two previous churches dating back to 1792. The site is located in the first parish of Madawaska, and the third oldest parish in New Brunswick.

Heritage value is also associated with its Gothic Revival inspired architecture. Although the bishop at the time, Msgr. Patrice-Alexandre Chiasson, wanted to preserve the modest exterior appearance of the preceding church for historical reasons, he approved the construction of two bell towers in the design of the new church. This created a more grandiose Gothic Revival appearance. Significant elements of the interior include the Stations of the Cross, the baptistery, and the pulpit sculpted by artist Claude J. Thériault, a native of Saint-Basile.

Source: Société historique du Madawaska - File: 380 Église Saint-Basile

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the architecture of Saint-Basile Church include:
- rectangular plan with transept;
- overall symmetry;
- regular fenestration of Gothic and lancet windows;
- exterior brick cladding;
- two bell towers with pinnacled spires;
- finely worked doors and windows.

The character-defining elements of the interior of the Saint-Basile Church include:
- Stations of the Cross;
- baptistery;
- pulpit.