Grey Nuns' Hospital

The building in 2008

The name Hôpital général des frères Charron (English: General Hospital of the Frères Charron) refers to a French religious community of the same name. It focused on care of the poor. The hospital was built outside the Fortifications of Montreal in 1695. Management and hospital administration were entrusted to the Grey Nuns in 1747.

The hospital suffered a major fire in 1765 and was rebuilt again according to the style of French architecture, that is to say, with large walls composed of rough stone called rubble that had been squared and covered in plaster. The architecture, which is very utilitarian, is rudimentary and has little ornamentation. The gable roof prevents the accumulation of snow in winter. The structure, being less massive and simpler to build meant a lower risk of fire. Finally, esses are used to reinforce the structure with stems screwed into the wood frame.

In 1880, the nuns decided to rent the building in order to maintain administrative offices in their communities.

In 1971, the Grey Nuns decided to return to their first mother-house. Major renovations of the building were undertaken.

The site was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1973.[1]

• Marguerite d'Youville

• Fiche Vieux-Montréal : Ancien Hôpital général (in French)