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HISTORIC OLD CLOCK IN CITY OF MONTREAL INSTALLED IN 1701 IS NOW BEING RESTORED
[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 5 October 1931]
Montreal, Que., Ont. 5
A mute witness of two centuries’ events in Montreal and Canadian history and for a long time the only public timepiece in the City of Montreal, the historical old clock that proudly rides the façade of the old Notre Dame Seminary, on Places d’Armes, has been repainted and mechanically readjusted. Cleaner of the accumulated grime of two centuries the old clock, which was installed in 1701 and originally cost 800 francs is again proudly ticking away the hours.
Rejuvenation of the historic clock forms part of the $80,000 improvements now being completed by the Gentlemen of St. Sulpice, owners of Notre Dame church, presbytery and seminary.
Until 1751 the clock was considered the official timepiece of the city. In that year it stopped functioning but was repaired in 1790. Oliver Maurault, Superior of Grasset College and author of the history of the parish, “Histoire de L’Eglise Notre-Dame de Montreal,” gives the following interesting details;
“In 1751 it was the only exterior clock in the city. The Scottish and English merchants were humiliated to be compelled to ask the time from the directors of the seminary. When Christ church was built in 1814 the parishioners installed a clock but the timepiece, it is stated, never gave the correct time and it finally was destroyed by fire in 1856. The seminary clock has remained silent for the last 15 years.”
Restoration of the ancient clock is due to the interest and perseverance of a plumber, J. Palment. The bells which occupy a small niche at the top of the clock proper have been rejuvenated.
And so the hands which travelled their twelve hour circle through the difficulties of the early French colonists during the downfall of France in America,, the progressive establishment of British supremacy, the fight for Confederation and successive administrations of latter time, will resume their march to the tune of flying minutes.
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