Quebec has a long religious history and is home to a large number of churches. Here are some of the city’s most notable ones.
Churches in Quebec City
There are around 150 churches and chapels in Quebec City, which is a lot! Many of them are quite old as well since Quebec is a very historic city. This article is not close to a comprehensive list of all the different churches you can visit in Quebec, rather it’s just a few of the very best you can visit.
Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame
At almost 400 years old, the Notre-Dame in Quebec is the oldest Catholic cathedral north of Mexico. Located at 16 Rue De Buade, the site contains both a crypt and small museum along with the main chapel. The cathedral is made even more special by the fact that it contains a Holy Door, one of only eight in the world and the only one of its kind in the Americas. A site of pilgrimages, especially during Jubilees, the Holy Door is a place for contemplation and holds tremendous spiritual significance. Those of all faiths are welcome to visit it.
Read our Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral article to learn more.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
The Holy Trinity Cathedral also holds major historical significance. It’s the oldest Anglican church outside of Great Britain at over 200 years old. The building includes one of the first bell towers in Canada and the bells themselves are so massive that it takes a team of people to ring them properly. The cathedral today remains more or less the same as it was when it was first built. Located at 31 Rue des Jardins, the interior decor of the church is noticeably English including a prized set of silver pieces originally used by King George III.
Click Cathedral of the Holy Trinity to learn more.
Le Monastère des Augustines
Le Monastère des Augustines is pretty different compared to the other buildings on this list as today it’s not just a place of worship. Since 2015 the monastery is also a wellness hotel focused on holistic healing practices. The site at 77 Rue des Remparts is shared by the Hôtel-Dieu de Quebec, the oldest hospital in Canada, which was also founded by the Augustinian Sisters. In addition, there is a small museum at the monastery, meaning there’s a whole lot of things to explore.
Check out the Le Monastère des Augustines website for more details.
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church
This church is in Place Royale, the oldest section of the city. The stone walls that surround Notre-Dame-des-Victoires are the same ones that were erected back in the early 1700s. In fact, some of that stone was part of the buildings in Samuel de Champlain’s initial settlement in 1608. Located at 32 rue Sous-le-Fort, the church is yet another historic building that stands out in perhaps the most historic spot in Quebec City.
Visit the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church website for more information.
Saint-Roch Church
The biggest church in the city, Saint-Roch can accommodate well over 1,000 people at once. The large pair of steeples reach 80 metres high, making this church at 160 Saint-Joseph Street East quite an imposing structure. The current building is in fact the fourth church of the same name to stand on this site. The church has grown a lot since the original version was built in the 1600s, although one thing that has lasted a long time is its crypt. For those interested in exploring this section of Saint-Roch you can do so virtually on the City of Quebec website.
Check out our Saint-Roch Church article to learn more about this place.
Other Information
Other articles that might be of interest include the following: