Formal Recognition Type

Registered Heritage Structure

Heritage Value

St. Patrick’s Deanery was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2008 for its aesthetic and historic value. St. Patrick’s Deanery has aesthetic value because it is a fine example of the Second Empire style of architecture. Located in the west end of St. John’s it was constructed before the Great Fire of 1892, after which this style of architecture became prevalent, and somewhat common. The Deanery exhibits many features of the Second Empire style with its mansard roof, one-storey bay windows and semicircular dormer windows. Inset panels set off the bay windows and sidelights at the main entrance in the front central tower. Another feature of this tower is the stepped Palladian window with a classical pediment, located directly above the front door on the second storey of the tower. Also above the front door is a heavy entablature with unique arch patterns, which soften the overall appearance of the main entrance. Many windows are slightly arched and most have bracketing and shelves. Some of the dormers are mansard dormers and the corner boards and window trims on the first storey front façade are pilasters. St. Patrick’s Deanery has historic value because of its associations with the development of the Roman Catholic Church in the west end of St. John’s. The Deanery is the rectory house for St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Parish and along with the church, a convent and a school located on the same grounds it has played an important role in the development of the Catholic Church in the west end of downtown. The collection of Roman Catholic buildings in the area, including the Deanery, is a reminder of the intense desires of the community to provide religious facilities in their neighbourhood. The church associated with this deanery took nearly 20 years to construct, with much community effort and money. St. Patrick’s Deanery is a symbol of these great efforts and the parish’s enduring vision. Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “St. John’s – St. Patrick’s Deanery – FPT 4344”

Character Defining Elements

All those elements that embody the building’s Second Empire design including: – mansard roof; – chimney style and placement; – eave brackets; – three storey massing; – narrow wooden clapboard; – wooden pilaster corner boards topped with brackets; – size, style, trim, ornamentation and placement of wooden windows; – size, style, ornamentation and placement of bay windows; – size, style, ornamentation and placement of semi-circular dormers and mansard dormers; – size, style and placement of dormer windows; – size, style, trim, ornamentation and placement of exterior wooden doors; – central tower with mansard roof and ornamentations; – pilasters; – inset moulded panels, and; – dimension, location and orientation of building.

Community

St. John's

Municipality

City of St. John's

Civic Address

006 Patrick Street

Construction (circa)

19700101 - 19700101

Style

Rectangular Long Façade