Saint-Léon church steeple:
A jewel worth preserving
For over 100 years, the steeple and campanile have watched over Westmount
By Chantal Montreuil, Member of the Bell Tower Fundraising Committee
June 2, 2026
A bit of history… Designed by architect Georges-Alphonse Monette, Saint-Léon Church was built between 1901 and 1903. In 1920, it was expanded with three new bays added to the nave and a new Neo-Renaissance façade, commissioned by Father Oscar Gauthier, who led the parish from 1904 to 1951.
In 1995, Saint-Léon Church inaugurated its third and current grand organ, Opus 40 by the organ builder Guilbault-Therrien of Saint-Hyacinthe. Two years later, in 1997, Saint-Léon was designated a “National Historic Site” by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Saint-Léon Church, Westmount, without its campanile – Archives, Saint-Léon of Westmount Parish
Since 2019, the Parish Fabrique has identified the need to restore the bell tower and its campanile to ensure their preservation. Due to insufficient funds at the time, the restoration project was postponed. In 2024, the Fabrique made the restoration of the bell tower a top priority.
A Landmark at the Heart of Community Life
For many Westmount residents, the bell tower remains a powerful symbol of continuity, memory, and community. Far more than an architectural feature, it has marked parish life for generations. Its bells accompany weddings, baptisms, funerals, first communions, confirmations, and major liturgical celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. On February 8, 2026, Archbishop Christian Lépine presided over the parish’s 125th anniversary Mass, recalling that the parish was originally founded by Archbishop Paul Bruchesi of Montreal.
A Concerning Condition
During site visits conducted in 2025 by volunteer members of the Bell Tower Fundraising Committee and by architects specializing in religious heritage, several issues were identified. The expert team—including architect Daniel Durand of DFS Architecture, known for restoring numerous heritage buildings including Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, and architect Laurent Généreux of DFS—observed:
- Stones detaching from the walls and at risk of falling.
- Deteriorated mortar joints leading to water infiltration.
- Risk of stone displacement due to freeze-thaw cycles.
- Significant erosion affecting portions of the tower masonry.
- Delamination and cracking.
- Structural issues within the bell chamber.
- Rust affecting the metal flooring in the bell chamber.
Without intervention, deterioration is likely to accelerate, potentially resulting in the loss of heritage stonework and necessitating far more costly emergency repairs. Access to the church itself could even be compromised.
Proposed Work
The proposed interventions include:
- Complete repointing of the masonry.
- Consolidation and minimal replacement of severely deteriorated stones.
- Replacement of substrates to prevent freeze-related damage.
- Restoration of cracked elements.
- Use of materials and techniques in accordance with Canadian heritage conservation standards.
The Fabrique intends to undertake this work only once the required funding has been secured.
Budget, Grants, and Fundraising Campaign
Bell • Photo: PACCARD Foundry, Sévrier, France
The estimated cost of the project is $1 million. Grant applications have been submitted to government bodies, including the Conseil du patrimoine religieux du Québec (CPRQ) and Parks Canada. In light of limited public funding, the campaign is now turning to private support: major donors, foundations, parishioners, and friends of Saint-Léon Parish.
Since the campaign’s launch in January 2026, $302,000 has already been raised. To help raise awareness, a presentation video is available on the parish website, and a fundraising campaign announcement was published in the *Westmount Independent* on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 (page 4).
Preserving a Shared Heritage
The restoration of the bell tower is essential to the preservation and safeguarding of Saint-Léon Church—an outstanding heritage ensemble distinguished by its incomparable decoration by Guido Nincheri and its Neo-Renaissance architecture—making it an irreplaceable jewel within the City of Westmount, which formalized its heritage status beginning in 2015.
And what of the grand organ, which draws music lovers year after year? How can one not support the dedicated efforts of Saint-Léon’s volunteers, who are committed to raising the funds needed to pass on this exceptional and irreplaceable heritage to future generations? Achieving this goal depends on the support and generosity of all.
Your generosity truly makes a difference. To support our mission, we invite you to make a donation here:
Donation for the restoration of the Saint-Léon bell tower
Feature image: © Andrew Burlone
