By Nancy Colton
Some years ago, my neighbour and I decided that our elderly double required porch renovation. As residents of the Lowertown West Heritage Conservation District, we wanted a look that reflected something of the original character of the house. Our neighbourhood has many original heritage houses built by master builders with a love of wood, and we wanted something that reflected this history.
After some sleuthing, we chose Paul Denys, who came highly recommended and who lived up to his reputation. His work in Lowertown has won several City of Ottawa Heritage Awards, and just down Bolton Street was one home where he had already resurrected the beauty of its porches and cornices. His work is labour intensive and may not be the lowest estimate, but his attention to detail brought my humble porch back to life.
My porch is special, but the Alphonse Rochon House, now the Jean-Claude Bergeron Art Gallery at 150 St. Patrick Street, stands out as a testament to the work of a skilled and artistic restorer. The elaborate porch created by Alphonse Rochon, one of the wood carvers for the Cathedral, had disappeared. Only an old faded photograph provided guidance for Paul, and more than 3,000 pieces of wood later, the building stands as a heritage landmark.
My modest vintage porch was a relatively small project but I now appreciate the effort of others who have honoured their homes or businesses with a nod to Lowertown’s past craftspeople.