The Basilica of Notre Dame in Montreal is colored as gothic churches would have been (with starry cieling...though I'd use a deeper blue and less "regular" pattern of starts)...though the rose window ON the cieling is novel and unorthodox.
And though I'd prefer a big rose window on the front instead of the windowless facade with row of statues, I also like the fact that it has a proper covered porch out front:
I think churches are technically supposed to have (by which I mean the liturgical books assume) outdoor porticos like that, which are something seperate from the vestibule and which are used for certain holy week ceremonies like blessing the fire or reconcilling the penitents, as well as a fitting location for such things as medieval Mystery Plays which I'd like to see restored and yet the liturgy or church proper are not the right place for them. Porches like the paleochristian Roman basillicas which are the prototypical churches.
Such as Santa Balbina:
Or San Vitale:
But, when it comes to Montreal, I'd prefer a free-standing altar with Gothic-style canopy as opposed to reredos. Sort of like St. Patrick's in New York (you have to look BEHIND the new free-standing Novus Altar).
But I'd have a flat wall at the back of the church with huge stained glass window instead of an ambulatory. Also, it's missing flying buttresses, which are a must for me...and for the ribbed vaulting on the cieling I prefer a simple X pattern instead of the more complicated branch designs. And of course, the Church should be shaped like a cross, and the sanctuary should be in the middle of the church, not at the back end. Blocked off by the choir stalls and rood screens.
