Sundials on the southwest corners of the Mother House
A sundial is a device which during hours of sunlight indicates the time by a shadow cast by a stationary arm (gnomon) on a dial marked in hours.
The sundials on the Bruyère and Sussex corners of the building were built in 1851 and are second oldest in North America, the first being at the “Petit Séminaire” in Quebec City.
Mother House sundials
The gnomon, also called shadow stick on the Bruyère Street wall (southeast dial) casts a shadow in the morning sun.
The gnomon, or shadow stick, on the Sussex Drive wall (southwest dial) casts a shadow in the afternoon sun.
Both sundials have neither a true south or true west orientation.
These sundials are the only vertical ones in the National Capital. They have subsequently been restored since 1851.
These unique sundials were built by Father Jean-François Allard, OMI who had come from France and was assigned as Chaplain to the Mother House. Besides being an excellent spiritual advisor, he was a professor of Geography, Geometry and Mathematics.
His passion for Science led to the realization of the sundials for which he had chosen the best geographic location. They have been giving the correct time since 1851.
Father Jean-François Allard, O.M.I.
In the Chronicles of March 29, 1851, Mother Bruyère wrote :
“Today, Saturday, Father Allard completed the two sundials. The men took down the scaffolding. This good Father had many problems in completing this work that he had begun late last Fall.” [bad weather...helpers who were not always available...]
