Description of Historic Place

The Former Powder Magazine is a low, solid-looking, rectangular, stone building with a gabled roof. A low protective blast wall surrounds the building. Two doors at ground level and three openings at gable level pierce the symmetrical façade. Along the plain side elevations are three half barrel-vaulted passages, or traverses, two on the west and one on the east. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Former Powder Magazine is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations and architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Former Powder Magazine is a very good example of a structure associated with the theme of the defence of Canada from the military threat of the United States. The Former Powder Magazine was a key defence building and the most important gunpowder storage area in the fortress. It is also associated with the federal government relief efforts of the 1930s and was converted to a chapel with funds obtained under the Public Works Construction Act, 1934. Its original construction, the subsequent economic benefits and the resulting influx of personnel had a significant impact on Quebec. It is now serves the Royal 22nd Regiment as a Chapel.

Architectural Value:
The Former Powder Magazine is a very good example of a powder magazine within a specialized defensive military structure. Features such as the bombproof walls illustrate the need to withstand bombardment. Its specialized features, construction techniques and its use of materials express its excellent functional design.

Environmental Value:
As an integral component of the Citadel of Quebec, the site of the Former Powder Magazine though changed has retained its character. The building reinforces the present character of the coastal defence and military setting of the Citadel and is well known to residents of the Citadel.


Sources:
Rhona Goodspeed, Quebec Citadel, Quebec, Quebec. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 88-161
Ancienne Poudrière (batiment no.5), Chapelle du Royal 22e Regiment, La Citadelle, Quebec. Heritage Character Statement 88-161

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Former Powder Magazine should be respected, for example:

Its functional military defence design and good quality materials and craftsmanship as evidenced in
The low, plain rectangular massing with gabled roof covered in sheet metal. The high quality plain stone exterior walls. The openings on the main elevation. The plain side elevations with three half barrel-vaulted passages, or traverses, two on the west and one on the east. The solidly built interior spaces, the simple geometric surfaces of the walls, the two barrel vaults forming the ceiling. The low protective blast wall surrounds the building.

The manner in which the Former powder Magazine, Regimental Chapel Building reinforces the military character of the Citadel of Quebec.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Former Powder Magazine was constructed in 1829-1831 according to the designs of Elias Walker Durnford. It should be noted that the building included a small powder magazine constructed on the same site in 1800. In the 1930s, the powder magazine was converted for use as the regimental chapel and is still used for that purpose. The renovations were done at the urging of General Vanier, who was the commanding officer of the Royal 22e Régiment at the time. The Chapel of the Royal 22e Régiment is located near the gorge of the Richmond Bastion on the north side of the road that rings the parade ground. The building is part of the Citadel of Québec, a National Historic Site. It is owned by the Department of National Defence. See FHBRO Report 88-161.

Reasons for Designation

The Chapel of the Royal 22e Régiment has been designated “Classified” because of its historical, architectural and environmental significance.

The historical value of the Former Powder Magazine stems from the primary support role it played in the defence of the fortress. It is the only remaining powder magazine built specifically for that purpose under the British Regime; it was also the largest magazine in the fortress. Its conversion to a Catholic chapel was part of a major public works program undertaken in the 1930s to reduce unemployment. The Former Powder Magazine highlights the military character of the Citadel, which last century had a major impact on the civilian administration of Québec and also on local development.
The Former Powder Magazine is a fine example of a magazine built under the British Regime. It still has most of the formal features that made the building better able to withstand explosions, ensured the best possible ventilation (in order to keep the powder dry) and provided adequate lighting without compromising the safety of the building. The conversion of the Former Powder Magazine to a regimental chapel in the 1930s was done without altering most of the original features. The building’s good condition reflects a sound choice of building materials and construction techniques. The design is attributed to Elias Walker Durnford, a leading figure in the history of the Citadel who oversaw construction between 1818 and 1831.

The primary features of the site have been preserved. The building is still situated beside a rocky outcrop below the level of the parade ground. The designer was able to take advantage of the topography of the site to strengthen the Former Powder Magazine. Located in the middle of the Citadel near the Memorial, the Former Powder Magazine is one of the fortress’s most striking and recognized buildings

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Chapel of the Royal 22e Régiment resides in its original architectural concept, which was to provide one place to store powder and another to transfer it to smaller containers. The integration of the powder magazine of 1800 had a bearing on the interior layout (the magazine has four rooms instead of two, which was the usual number for a building of this type).

The Former Powder Magazine is characterized by its squat appearance, symmetrical facade, masonry bearing walls (irregular courses of limestone), sloped roof (clad in painted tin plate) and iron doors and shutters. In addition, there is the system of openings, which includes vents in the walls and floor, and windows protected with crossbars that ensure good ventilation but also prevented anyone from firing into the building. The location of the building below the level of the road and the protective wall are also integral parts of the original design.

The formal design in which the historical, architectural and environmental significance of the building reside should be respected. In order to preserve the integrity of the masonry, it is recommended that all metal elements be protected from corrosion. Continuous maintenance of the joints and replacement of defective stones with stones similar to the original ones in type, size, colour and bond are the best ways to ensure that the building lasts a long time. The style and manufacture of the windows, doors and roofing should respect what the designer had in mind in order to preserve the architectural character of the building. The grills should be the same throughout, and should be plain in keeping with the austere nature of the building. The installation of modern mechanical devices should be done without damaging the historic fabric (using existing openings where possible). Efforts should be made to preserve the openings and vents that were not altered when the powder magazine was converted to a chapel; they are essential in understanding the original design.

The interior of the Chapel is characterized by vaulted ceilings (part brick, part stone), thick masonry walls (irregular courses of stone) and a number of small iron doors (in front of the vents). There are also some elements made of copper, a metal that was used in order to prevent sparks from being created inside the building. The solemn yet welcoming atmosphere in the Chapel should be preserved. Particular care should be given to all the metal elements that evoke the original function of the building. The installation of mechanical devices should not undermine the historical character. Light fixtures should be of a neutral style and compatible with the existing style.

It is important to preserve the relationship between the Former Powder Magazine, the Former Latrines and the Former Cooperage, because it is crucial to the integrity of the environmental significance of these buildings. It is recommended that no additions or new buildings be constructed in the immediate vicinity of the Former Powder Magazine. The unsightly pipe between the magazine and Building No. 6 should be removed. Landscaping of the surrounding area should be limited to elements that are essential to the new religious and commemorative functions of the area.