Saint-Sulpice Seminary (Montreal) facts for kids
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The Saint-Sulpice Seminary (also known as Vieux Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice in French) is a very old and important building in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is the second oldest building in Montreal! In 1980, it was named a National Historic Site of Canada. You can find it in the Ville-Marie area, which is part of Old Montreal. It's right next to the famous Notre-Dame Basilica on Notre-Dame Street. The seminary is a beautiful U-shaped building with a grand, palace-like style.
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A Look Back: The Seminary's History
The Saint-Sulpice Seminary was started in 1657 by a group of priests called the Society of Priests of Saint Sulpice. They have owned the building ever since it was created. Construction began in 1684. It was led by François Dollier de Casson, who was in charge of the Sulpicians at the time. The main building was finished in 1687. Later additions, like the famous clock, were completed by 1713. The seminary was used to educate secular priests. It also helped with mission work among the native peoples in New France.
The Historic Clock
The front of the building has a special clock. It was built and put in place in 1701, high up on the wall. The clock's face was made in Paris. It was engraved by Paul Labrosse and gilded (covered in a thin layer of gold) by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame. This clock is one of the oldest of its kind in all of North America.
The Peaceful Seminary Gardens
Following an old tradition, the Sulpicians built a garden near their seminary in the 17th century. They used it to grow fruits and vegetables. The garden was designed in a French style from the Renaissance period. This means it has a very neat and geometric layout. It features pathways, a lawn, and a statue in the middle. These gardens are also among the oldest of their kind in North America.
Famous People Who Studied Here
- James Augustine Healy: He was the first known African-American Catholic priest in history. He later moved to a Sulpician seminary in Paris.
See also
- Saint-Sulpice Seminary (Issy-les-Moulineaux)
