Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel |
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Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
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| Location | 400, rue Saint-Paul Est Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1H4 |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Chapel |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | |
| Type: | Classified heritage immovable |
| Designated: | 2014-11-10 |
| Part of: | Old Montreal |
| Reference #: | 96643 |
| Architectural type | Norman-Gothic |
The Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel is a very old and special church in Old Montreal, Quebec. Its name means "Our Lady of Good Help." It was built in 1771 on top of an even older chapel that had burned down. You can find it on Saint Paul Street, near the Bonsecours Market. It's a famous landmark in the city!
Contents
History of the Chapel
Building the First Chapel
A long time ago, in 1655, a brave woman named St. Marguerite Bourgeoys helped build the very first chapel here. She was the first teacher in the new settlement of Ville-Marie, which is now Montreal. She also started a group called the Congregation of Notre Dame.
In 1673, Marguerite Bourgeoys returned from France. She brought with her a special wooden statue of "Our Lady of Good Help." A stone church was finished in 1678. Sadly, this church burned down in 1754. But don't worry, the special statue and a container for holy items were saved! They were later placed above the entrance of the new church built in 1771.
The Chapel and Soldiers
After the British took over Montreal during the French and Indian War, many Irish and Scottish soldiers and their families went to this chapel. They even helped raise money to build Saint Patrick's Church. This was Montreal's first Catholic church for English-speaking people.
The Sailors' Church
In the 1800s, the chapel became a popular place for sailors. They would visit after arriving in the Old Port of Montreal. They thanked the Virgin Mary for keeping them safe during their sea journeys. In 1849, the Bishop of Montreal, Mgr. Ignace Bourget, gave the chapel a statue of the Virgin Mary as "Star of the Sea." This statue was placed on top of the church, looking out over the harbor. Because of this strong connection to the port, the chapel is often called the Sailors' Church.
What You Can See Today
Today, the chapel is home to the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum. This museum teaches you all about the life of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and the early days of Montreal.
Below the chapel, there's an amazing archeological site. You can see the foundations of the first chapel and even parts of the old walls that protected the settlement. Archeologists have found items from both First Nations people and the early French colonists here.
You can also climb the church's tall spire! From the top, you get incredible views of the Old Port and the Saint Lawrence River. In 2005, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys's remains were brought back to the church. She now rests in the chapel's special area.
Gallery
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Exterior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel, Montreal, Quebec
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Exterior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Old Port side, Montreal, Quebec
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Exterior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel from the Harbor side in Montreal, Québec
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Exterior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel and the Bon secours Market
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Exterior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal, Quebec
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Exterior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel by night, Montreal, Quebec
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Angel, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal
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Angel, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal
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A guide as seen from the tower of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal
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A guide at the top of the tower of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal
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Interior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal, Quebec
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Interior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal, Quebec
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Roof of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal
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Interior view of the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal, Quebec
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Interior view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal, Quebec
