Joseph Venne

Joseph Venne (1858–1925) was a prominent Canadian architect whose practice was located in Montreal, Quebec. During a long and distinguished career he designed more than sixty buildings in the Montreal area and three large Catholic churches in Massachusetts.

Early life and architectural training Born in Montreal in 1858, he quickly established himself into the network of prominent architects who erected buildings for most French-speaking Montrealers.

Architectural practice

Mr. Venne was architect for over a hundred buildings, including several churches, schools and the famous National Monument. His buildings incorporated innovative use of materials such as steel, concrete and glass. He helped found what would become of the Ordre des architectes du Québec, as well as developing a building code of the City of Montreal to establish standards of quality and safety.

Works include Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1887 College of Philosophy, Côte-des-Neiges, 1890 La Banque du Peuple, 1893 Monument-National, 1891 Laval University of Montreal, 1893 Church of St. Clement Viauville, 1899 Église Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, 1901 Facade for the church of Saint-Enfant-Jésus du Mile-End, 1902 St. Anthony Church, New Bedford, Massachusetts USA, 1902 Church of Saint-Michel, Percé Canada, 1903 Church of Verdun, 1905 Presbytery of Hochelaga, 1906 Orphanage Saint-Arsène, 1906 Grey Nuns Motherhouse, Saint-Matthieu wing School Salaberry, 1907 Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Verdun, 1911 Church of St. Catherine, 1912 Church of Saint-Denis, Plateau Mont-Royal, 1913 Church of St. Anselm, 1913 Notre Dame Church, Southbridge, Massachusetts USA, 1916 Church Saint-Pierre-Claver, 1917