Church architecture and styles were heavily influenced by the High Victorian Gothic Revival style, as it inspired their construction while ensuring a bold and heavy set appearance once completed.  One of the manifestations of the Gothic Revival period, the French Gothic Revival occurred most prominently during the latter part of the nineteenth century in Canada.  The understanding and application of French Gothic Revival was employed by one of the most noteworthy Ontario architects of the period, Joseph Connolly.  A great variety of French Gothic architectural details is present in Connolly's most impressive work, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.  This church illustrates the Gothic Revival style in its rose windows, the twin towered facade, and polygonal apse.  Internally, Connolly used the galleries characteristic of French medieval cathedrals.  Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is considered as the French Gothic Revival structure exhibiting the most outstanding qualities and completeness of design.

 

Exterior