LAMONTAGNE, Benjamin (1822-1897) was recorded in Montreal City Directories from 1859 in various occupations including wood joiner (1859-1863), and as building contractor (1863-1876), and finally as an architect from 1876 until his death in 1897. He was born in Quebec province in 1822, but no information has been found on his education and training. One of his largest commissions was recorded in 1864, a sustantial Roman Catholic Church on Bleury Street, near Dorchester Street, for the Jesuits of the College of St. Mary. It was stated that “....the plans are being carried out under the supervision of Mr. B. Lamontagne, who is also the builder”, an indication that he was designing and constructing works as early as 1864. This immense church, nearly 230 ft. long, included two towers nearly 200 ft. high, with accommodation for 4,000 visitors. Lamontagne also designed (and may have constructed) several institutional and convent buildings in Montreal for the Roman Catholic diocese. He died in Montreal on 2 April 1897 (obituary La Presse [Montreal], 6 April 1897, 1, with engraved portrait; death notice Montreal Daily Star, 5 April 1897, 11)
HUDON BLOCK, a 3 storey block of warehouses for V. Hudon, St. Paul Street east of St. Gabriel Street, 1857 (Montreal Herald, 14 July 1857, 1, descrip.)
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, Bleury Street near Dorchester Street, for the Jesuits of the College of St. Mary, 1864 (Montreal Herald, 3 Dec. 1864, 2, descrip.)
HOSPICE ST. JEAN-DE-DIEU, Hochelaga Street at Curatteau Street, the first wing, 1874-75 (City of Montreal, Les Couvents, 1984, 180-87, illus.)
LONGUE POINTE, a new Lunatic Asylum for the Sisters of Providence, 1875 (Gazette [Montreal], 24 May 1875, 2, descrip.)
(with Joseph Michaud) INSTITUTION DES SOURDES-MUETTES, St. Denis Street at Cherrier Street, 1881 (City of Montreal, Les Couvents, 1984, 204-11, illus.)
AISLE ST. BENOIT JOSEPH LABRE, Notre Dame Street East at de Beaurivage Street, 1883-84 (City of Montreal, Les Couvents, 1984, 18-23, illus.)
MAISON MERE DES SOEURS DE LA PROVIDENCE, Fullum Street at Ste. Catherine Street, 1884-88 (City of Montreal, Les Couvents, 1984, 244-47, illus.)