Country Canada Dedication Mary (mother of Jesus) | Denomination Roman Catholic Dedicated 1682 | |
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Location Place d'Armes, Montreal Status Church
Cathedral (1821-1822) | ||
History
In 1657, the Roman Catholic Sulpician Order arrived in Ville-Marie, now known as Montreal. The parish they founded was dedicated to Mary, and the parish church of Notre-Dame was built between 1672 and 1682. A cross is planted to designate the future emplacement of the church on June 29, 1672 and the next day are laid the first five stones.
The church served as the first cathedral of the Diocese of Montreal from 1821 to 1822.
Throughout the 18th century the city's primary landmarks were the bell tower of Notre-Dame and Citadel hill.
By 1824 the congregation had completely outgrown the church, and James O'Donnell, an Irish-American Protestant from New York, was commissioned to design the Notre-Dame Basilica. The church was demolished in 1830 and the bell tower in 1843. Foundations from the original Notre-Dame Church lie under Place d'Armes, and were unearthed during the square's 2009-2011 renovations.