Saint Patrick’s Basilica has been a landmark of Montreal’s Irish Catholic heritage since 1847, when it opened its doors just as thousands fled famine in Ireland. Built on a high point in the Gothic Revival style, its original spire once watched over a much smaller city—now it’s hemmed in by the downtown core, its orientation a reminder of how much Montreal has shifted around it. While rooted in the Irish diaspora, today’s congregation reflects a broader mix of English-speaking Catholics, guided by Msgr. Francis J. Coyle. The church was named a National Historic Site in 1996 and a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1989. Ongoing preservation efforts—like the upcoming east stair repairs—are led by the St. Patrick’s Restoration Foundation, which has funnelled more than $12 million into maintaining the site’s historical and architectural integrity.