Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Notre-Dame de Québec |
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Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec in 2012
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| Location | 16, rue de Buade Quebec City, Quebec G1R 4A1 |
| Country | Canada |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral, minor basilica |
| Founded | 1647 (original building) |
| Founder(s) | François de Laval |
| Dedication | Virgin Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Functional |
| Designated | 1989 |
| Architect(s) | Jean Baillairgé |
| Architectural type | Neoclassical |
| Completed | 1843 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Quebec |
The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec is a very old and important church. It is located in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. This church is the main church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec.
It is the oldest church in Canada. In 1874, Pope Pius IX gave it the special title of "minor basilica". This was the first time a church in Canada received this honor. Many important people are buried in its crypt. These include four governors of New France and the bishops of Quebec. François de Laval, Quebec's first bishop, is also buried there.
The church is a National Historic Site of Canada. It is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called the Historic District of Old Québec.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
The cathedral stands where a small chapel once was. This chapel, called Notre Dame de la Recouvrance, was built by Samuel de Champlain in 1633. The construction of the first main church building started in 1647. It was given the name Notre-Dame de la Paix.
Rebuilding After Fires
The cathedral has been destroyed by fire two times. The first time was during the Siege of Quebec in 1759. After this, it was rebuilt using plans from 1743 by Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry.
The belltower was designed by Jean Baillairgé. He also supervised the building work. Jean Baillairgé and his son François designed the inside of the church from 1786 to 1822. In 1843, François' son, Thomas, suggested changing the front of the church. He wanted it to look like the Sainte-Geneviève church in Paris. This change gave Quebec one of its most beautiful Neo-classic church fronts.
The cathedral was decorated with many amazing artworks. These included a baldaquin (a special canopy), a bishop's throne, stained glass windows, and paintings. There was also a chancel lamp, which was a gift from King Louis XIV.
The church was damaged by fire again in 1922. It was then carefully restored by architects Maxime Roisin and Raoul Chenevert. Raoul Chenevert also added a building next to the cathedral in 1931–1932. From 1961 to 1993, Claude Lagacé was the organist and choirmaster there.
Special Anniversaries and Holy Doors
In 2014, the cathedral celebrated its 350th anniversary. As part of these celebrations, a special "holy door" was built. This was only the second holy door outside of Europe and just the eighth in the world. The holy door was opened on December 8, 2013. It stayed open until December 28, 2014.
It opened again from December 8, 2015, to November 20, 2016. This was for the Year of Mercy. After that, it was sealed shut. The holy door was reopened in 2024 for the 350th anniversary of the Quebec diocese. It was sealed again in December 2024.
The cathedral was named a national historic site of Canada in 1989. This was because of its long and close connection to the history of New France. It also influenced how other churches in Quebec were built and decorated.
Gallery
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Interior of the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec
See also
In Spanish: Notre-Dame de Quebec para niños
- Jean Lemire, a master carpenter who worked on an early part of the church in 1684
- List of cathedrals in Canada
- Roman Catholic Marian churches
