Churches and Religious Sites

One basilica, two cathedrals, one of which is a basilica-cathedral, 130 churches, 20 chapels, 10 of which are conventual, and all of these are witnesses to the different origins that colonised the area—Catholics, Anglicans, and other Protestants—display an astonishing depth of religious diversity. Investigate the historical religious places of Québec City.

Top Religious Destinations

Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral

The construction of Notre-Dame de Québec in 1647 resulted in the founding of the first Roman Catholic parish north of the Spanish colonies.

You’ll like:

• The sole Holy Door found outside of Europe (the reopening is scheduled for December 8, 2023 for two years)
• The magnificent baldachin over the altar and tabernacle is similar to a scaled-down replica of the one in Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica.
• the canonised tomb of St. François de Laval, the first bishop of Québec,
• the crypt and final resting place of four New France governors as well as bishops

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Between 1800 and 1804, the first Anglican cathedral to be built outside of the British Isles. The iconic London church St. Martin-in-the-Fields served as the inspiration for the British Artillery officers’ design.

You’ll like:

• The King’s Gift: a display of the magnificent silver Communion Service that King George III gave to the Cathedral
• The King George III Arms are shown on the royal pew
• Monuments to British military leaders and nobles, such as the Duke of Richmond, who hosted the renowned ball prior to the Battle of Waterloo
• A highly rare English chamber organ was constructed in London around 1790.
• Many of the exquisite stained-glass windows were created in London.

Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church

It is the oldest stone church in Canada and was constructed on the foundations of the second “habitation” of the city’s founder. The Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759 nearly destroyed it, but it was entirely rebuilt in 1816. It still serves as a symbol of Old Quebec today.

You’ll like:

• The only original component is the tabernacle of the Sainte-Geneviève chapel.
• The Brézé vessel replica that was rescued from the Notre-Dame-de-Québec basilica-ruins cathedral’s in 1759
• The custom of blessing buns in honour of Saint Geneviève

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine

Over 350 years have passed since the first pilgrims came to this location to honour Saint Anne. Step inside to take in the basilica’s magnificent stained glass, murals, mosaics, and stone and wooden sculptures. Pope Francis paid a pastoral visit to the Shrine in the summer of 2022 as a part of his outreach to the indigenous peoples.

You’ll like:

• The mosaic-decorated vault depicting Saint Anne’s life
• The Way of the Cross, where pilgrims can make a contemporary journey past 14 stations that represent key events in Christ’s suffering.

*A brand-new river shuttle service will be available starting in the summer of 2022, connecting Old Québec with the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré pier and enabling visitors visiting the shrine to do so without having to drive while taking in the breath-blowing scenery.

Monastère des Augustines

North of Mexico, in 1639, Augustinian nuns constructed the first hospital on the continent. They dedicated their life to helping others with physical and mental problems for nearly 400 years. They contributed to the advancement of contemporary medicine as well.

You’ll like:

• Architecture that seamlessly combines antique and modern elements
• The permanent exhibition’s 40,000 objects from 12 Augustinian monastery hospitals show the social and spiritual work done by Augustinian nuns in Québec over the years.

Pôle culturel des Ursulines (Ursulines Monastery museum)

Here, the Ursulines established the first girls’ school in North America. In 1642, they reached where they are today.

You’ll like:

• The chapel’s furnishings, which include one of the city’s oldest collections of sculpted wood
• Musée des Ursulines, which houses the nation’s oldest religious teaching community’s valuables, including 17th- and 18th-century gold-embroidered liturgical decorations,
• Summertime in the gorgeous garden, which was just made public

Getting Married in Québec City

Quebec City is the ideal location for a wedding that is just divine, offering a magnificent and romantic backdrop, a variety of fine restaurants, and world-renowned services.

Stunning cemeteries

Investigate these fascinating cemeteries; they contain hints of the past.

Association for Quebec’s Religious and Spiritual Travel

With the help of the Québec Religious and Spiritual Tourism Association, you can continue learning about the religious history of the province.