John Ostell
Encyclopedia
John Ostell architect, surveyor and manufacturer, was born in London
, England and emigrated to Canada in 1834, where he apprenticed himself to a Montreal
surveyor André Trudeau to learn French methods of surveying. In 1837 he married Eleonore Gauvin a member of a prominent French Catholic family in the city. His marriage ensured entree to French society, he was appointed diocesan architect for Montreal. In 1849 he formed a partnership with his nephew Henri-Maurice Perrault (1828–1903), this was the formation of one the first architectural dynasties in Canada.
He mostly worked in the Greek Revival style of architecture. His first work in Montreal was the city's original Custom House, completed 1836. This was followed by the McGill University
Arts Building , 1839–1843, the oldest building on the McGill campus, extended 1860-1862; Asile des Soeurs de la Providence (aka Asile de la Providence
), 1842 (demolished); High School of Montreal, 1845 (demolished); Protestant Orphan Asylum, 1848 (demolished); Palais episcopal (Episcopal Palace) 1849, burnt 1852; Eglise de Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Graces, 1851; Church of St Anne, 1853 (demolished); Grand Seminaire de Montreal, 1854; and the Old Montreal Court House, now known as the Édifice Lucien-Saulnier.1856-1859. Ostell submitted designs for the new St. James Cathedral
in Toronto
in 1849, placing second in the competition to Frederick William Cumberland
. The only residential home left standing built by Ostell is the former home of Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine in downtown Montreal at 1395 Overdale Ave. Unfortunately, the home is falling into ruin.
In 1859 he largely abandoned architecture having established a successful lumber business in 1852. The factory made doors and windows for export to Upper Canada (Ontario
), Australia, the USA and Britain. By 1856 the factory covered 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) and employed 75 workers and had a turn over of goods worth £18,750 per annum.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England and emigrated to Canada in 1834, where he apprenticed himself to a Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
surveyor André Trudeau to learn French methods of surveying. In 1837 he married Eleonore Gauvin a member of a prominent French Catholic family in the city. His marriage ensured entree to French society, he was appointed diocesan architect for Montreal. In 1849 he formed a partnership with his nephew Henri-Maurice Perrault (1828–1903), this was the formation of one the first architectural dynasties in Canada.
He mostly worked in the Greek Revival style of architecture. His first work in Montreal was the city's original Custom House, completed 1836. This was followed by the McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
Arts Building , 1839–1843, the oldest building on the McGill campus, extended 1860-1862; Asile des Soeurs de la Providence (aka Asile de la Providence
Émilie Gamelin
Émilie Gamelin , also known as Marie-Émilie-Eugène Gamelin and Amélie Gamelin, was a Canadian social worker and Roman Catholic nun. She is best known as the founder and first superior of the Sisters of Providence...
), 1842 (demolished); High School of Montreal, 1845 (demolished); Protestant Orphan Asylum, 1848 (demolished); Palais episcopal (Episcopal Palace) 1849, burnt 1852; Eglise de Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Graces, 1851; Church of St Anne, 1853 (demolished); Grand Seminaire de Montreal, 1854; and the Old Montreal Court House, now known as the Édifice Lucien-Saulnier.1856-1859. Ostell submitted designs for the new St. James Cathedral
Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto, Canada is the home of the oldest congregation in the city. The parish was established in 1797. The Cathedral was begun in 1850 and completed in 1853, was at the time one of the largest buildings in the city...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1849, placing second in the competition to Frederick William Cumberland
Frederick William Cumberland
Frederick William Cumberland was a Canadian engineer, architect and political figure. He represented the riding of Algoma in the 1st and 2nd Ontario Parliaments and in the Canadian House of Commons from 1871 to 1872....
. The only residential home left standing built by Ostell is the former home of Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine in downtown Montreal at 1395 Overdale Ave. Unfortunately, the home is falling into ruin.
In 1859 he largely abandoned architecture having established a successful lumber business in 1852. The factory made doors and windows for export to Upper Canada (Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
), Australia, the USA and Britain. By 1856 the factory covered 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) and employed 75 workers and had a turn over of goods worth £18,750 per annum.