St Francis of the Birds arose at the base of St Sauveur Mountain in 1951. We are an Anglican Church in the Diocese of Montreal, led by Bishop Mary Irwin-Gibson. Our rustic wooden church is illuminated by exquisite stain glass windows showing the natural beauty found only in the Laurentians.
In our church you will find an on going motif of nature, and animals- with a special focus on birds. Above the altar is a magnificent stained glass window of St Francis, with 21 species birds native to the Laurentians, welcoming all of us to worship and feel connected to God.
Just as there are many beautiful and unique birds all loved by God, so are God’s people beautiful, unique and beloved. We welcome all, at St Francis of the Birds, just as they are.
The Church and the hall are both built with local pine logs, and artfully crafted by a crew of artisans lead by Victor Nymar, following the legacy of a Scandinavian tradition.
The pulpit is solid oak, along with the lectern which was crafted from the figurehead from the ship Ooya, which sailed from Mersey, England to Montreal in 1870. The stained glass windows on the north and south sides of the church represent the four seasons in day and night. The stained glass window in choir loft (in the façade of the church) represents the Holy Spirit descending upon Earth creating order out of chaos at Creation.
The garden between the Church and Hall has a poignant history. It was was donated by the Nymark family in loving memory of Lydia Nymark, the spouse of late Victor Nymark from whom the concept of a log church for St Francis of the Birds came about.
St Francis of Assisi lived a life that embodied some of the most deeply held values that we associate with Christian faith today. St Francis is perhaps most widely associated with the care of creation and the environment. He is famous for his sermon to the birds. The legend is told in The Little Flowers of St. Francis, a collection of texts about the life of St Francis, compiled in the 14th century. Many churches invite people to bring their animal companions to church for a special blessing on St Francis Day (October 4th)
While the most common perception of St Francis today evoke the fifth Mark of Mission—“to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth” —his earliest claim to fame reflects the first two: “to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom” and “to teach, baptise and nurture new believers.”
