Church of St. John the Evangelist
A rare outpost of Anglo-Catholic worship in Quebec, this downtown Montreal parish maintains the High Church tradition of the Canadian Book of Common Prayer—a liturgical practice found nowhere else in the province.
At a glance
St. John the Evangelist stands at 137 President Kennedy Avenue in downtown Montreal, its distinctive red roof earning it the affectionate nickname “Red Roof Church.” A parish of the Anglican Diocese of Montreal within the Anglican Church of Canada, it occupies a prominent position amid Université du Québec à Montréal campus buildings and the Quartier des Spectacles cultural district.
History
The church’s origins and development are rooted in the Montreal Anglican community. St. John the Evangelist has endured as an institution of continuity, maintaining liturgical practices that have largely disappeared elsewhere in Quebec.
What you see
The church’s most recognizable feature is its striking red roof, a visual marker that distinguishes it within Montreal’s urban fabric. Its location within a vibrant mixed-use district places it in active dialogue with contemporary city life.
Cultural significance
St. John the Evangelist holds singular importance as Quebec’s last remaining church to preserve Anglo-Catholic or High Church worship in the tradition of the Canadian Book of Common Prayer (1962). This liturgical continuity represents a living link to a branch of Anglican practice that has largely faded from the region, making the parish a rare institutional guardian of this religious heritage.
Key facts
- Location: 137 President Kennedy Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Coordinates: 45.509783, −73.567924
- Diocese: Anglican Diocese of Montreal, Anglican Church of Canada
- Liturgical tradition: Anglo-Catholic/High Church (Canadian Book of Common Prayer, 1962)
- Designation: Last church in Quebec maintaining this worship style
Practical information & getting there
St. John the Evangelist is situated in central Montreal, accessible via downtown transit and easily reached on foot from Quartier des Spectacles. As an active parish church, visiting hours and service times should be confirmed directly with the parish before your visit.
Sources & resources
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