Description of Historic Place

Saint-Jean-Baptiste et Saint-Joseph Church is a stone Gothic Revival Catholic church located on Principale Street in Tracadie-Sheila.

Heritage Value

Saint-Jean-Baptiste et Saint-Joseph Church is designated a Local Historic Place for its spiritual role in the lives of the parishioners of Tracadie and for its architecture.

Construction of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste et Saint-Joseph Church was completed in 1949. It was built on the same site as the first stone church, which burned down in 1925. It reflects the pride of a community that worked together to build a place of worship.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste et Saint-Joseph Church is a good example of the Gothic Revival style, which is characteristic of architect René A. Fréchet. He drew up plans for several other churches in New Brunswick as well. The church contains several examples of religious symbolism, including the blue colour of the nave recalling the Virgin Mary and the 12 candles and crosses representing the consecration of the church in 1949.

Source : Town of Tracadie-Sheila, Heritage File # 9

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the site of Saint-Jean-Baptiste et Saint-Joseph Church include:
- dominant location in the town;
- construction on the same foundation as the first stone church.

The character-defining elements that describe the exterior architecture of Saint-Jean-Baptiste et Saint-Joseph Church include:
- sandstone exterior;
- structure, including the sacristy, measuring 212 feet long and 70 feet wide;
- two bell towers, each 160 feet tall;
- cornerstones of the current and former churches on the foundation.

The character-defining elements that describe the interior of Saint-Jean-Baptiste et Saint-Joseph Church include:
- terrazzo floor;
- main altar, ambo, and marble column base;
- nave, windows, and pointed-arch doorframes;
- nave recalling the Virgin Mary;
- 12 candles and crosses;
- pews, rood screens, and organ case made of cherry;
- Casavant organ with 2500 pipes;
- seating capacity of 1212;
- stained-glass windows in the nave depicting the four Evangelists.