File 333 - U.C.C. [United Church of Canada] Church

In 1926, an important Memoranda on church design and church decoration, was prepared by the Percy Nobbs, Rev. Richard Roberts, and Rev. S.P. Rose. The Memoranda was printed in the JRAIC. “ United Church of Canada, Presbytery of Montreal, Committee on Architecture. The following Memoranda, No.I on Church Design, and No.II on Church Decoration, have been approved by way of an instruction to their Consulting Architect in his dealings with other members of the profession entrusted with the design of churches for congregations belonging to the United Church of Canada. The present practice of the United Church of Canada in the district of Montreal is that all designs for churches pass through the Committee on Architecture, before adoption by the Finance and Extension Board of the Montreal Presbytery.” --“United Church of Canada, Presbytery of Montreal, Committee on Architecture,” JRAIC 3 (July 1926) : 157. It is a lengthy and detailed document, which considers all possible elements of church design and decoration, providing guidelines and illustrations for aspects including the chancel plan, seating, institutional accommodation and offices, church furniture, acoustics, ornament, origins, themes, symbols, and application for subject matter, as well as a section on ecclesiastical style.