 Damase Dandurand, a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Oblate Order, designed St. Joseph's "near the College in St. George's Ward", which was styled in a "Rustico-Tuscan order".The first church was not consecrated until 19 March 1858.The building was a small traditional stone church with few notable architectural features, other than a clock above the door, and the first church bells in Ottawa.