We were visting Quebec City for the first time, traversing from Old Quebec to the trendy Saint-Roch neighborhood and we came across what appeared to be a large, beautiful church. Since we typically pop our heads into churches when we travel abroad, we walked up the steps and peeked in the door. To our surprise, the church had been converted to a library, the Maison de la littérature!
Formerly the Wesley Temple built in 1848 for the Methodist community, the church had a second life as the Canadian Institute Hall after being deconsecrated in 1931. As part of the CIH, a public Vieux-Quebec library, was opened and the building served the public for the next 60+ years. Upon the Institute’s closing, the City wanted to retain the library for its citizens while still meeting the needs of its literary community. Hence, the Maison de la littérature was created to meet all those needs.
Immediately walking in, you feel reverence. Perhaps its the automatic notion to be quiet in a library; perhaps its the divine respect for walking into a house of worship. I could never allow my voice to get above a very low whisper and found myself communicating more with facial gestures and raised eyebrows than with words.
The space is breathtaking; its definitely a library that is definitely in an old church: the large windows are clear and allow maximum natural light into the space, the interior is white, evoking the new and innovative concept of merging two industries, the former choir loft now holds bookshelves, study carrels and office space, and the chandelier somehow gives off a religious vibe despite it being secular. The space is peaceful, respectful, and intimate despite the open concept.
