Concordia’s Libraries are responsible for the new library space in the Grey Nuns Building.
The centerpiece of the Grey Nuns Building is the transformation of the former Chapelle de l’Invention-de-la-Sainte-Croix into a monumental library Reading Room. The Reading Room is open to Concordia students, faculty and staff, who will benefit from more than 200 spaces for quiet study. As well, group study rooms were added outside the former chapel to accommodate an additional 106 students.
Existing residence rooms and common areas were upgraded and additional rooms were refurbished to accommodate a total of 600 students.
“This magnificent building was the place where the Grey Nuns engaged in quiet contemplation but also came together as a community,” says Alan Shepard, president and vice-chancellor of Concordia. “I’m pleased that we have updated the facilities in a way that now allows our students to enjoy moments of reflection as well as debate and collaboration as they pursue their studies.”
The Roman Catholic Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal – more commonly known as the Grey Nuns – was founded by Marguerite d’Youville in 1737 and moved into the Mother House in 1871. Concordia purchased the Grey Nuns property in 2007. An initial phase of renovations transformed the building’s west wing into a daycare and provided 250 residence rooms. More than 200 Grey Nuns remained on the premises until 2013 when they opted to move to a new residence in the city’s east end. Concordia is proud to be the custodian of this iconic building in the heart of Montreal’s downtown and honour its historic role through the pursuit of the university’s academic mission.
