Parish volunteers completed the installation of the new altar rail on Saturday of the Labour Day weekend.  The result of the skillful work of two parishioners, James Green and Michal Janek, the curved cherry wood altar rail spans the church’s 70 foot transept, features 109 turned spindles, fourteen posts, three gates and forged gate latches.

The design of the altar rail  was based on the careful study of several historically relevant examples, among them Notre-Dame-des-Victoires in Quebec City whose interior refurbishment after the church was largely destroyed by British bombardment in 1759 was only completed in the 19th century, making it a fitting precedent for Ottawa’s Saint Anne whose architectural inspiration has its roots in Quebec. To ensure historical integrity, the brass altar cloth hooks which will eventually be used are carefully made copies of a model commonly in found in nineteenth century Quebec churches.

Furnishing the church with such a handsome and fitting altar rail would never have been possible without the unqualified financial support of parishioners whose the generous contributions ensured that the $25,000 needed to build and install the altar rail were never in question. Thank you!