Description
St. Patrick’s Deanery is an ornate, three-storey, Second Empire style dwelling located at the corner of Patrick Street and Deanery Avenue in St. John’s, NL. This 1884 deanery continues to be used as the residence of the clergy for St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church and others. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Statement of Significance
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.
Location and History
Community
St. John's
Municipality
City of St. John's
Civic Address
006 Patrick Street
Construction (circa)
19700101 - 19700101
Style
Rectangular Long Façade
Location
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