Denomination: CATHOLIC |
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Denomination: CATHOLIC |
he stages of the evolution of the interior decoration of Notre-Dame-de-Québec are less
known to us. The architectural interior proposed by Chaussegros de Léry was stripped
quite bare and it is not known what was used as an "altar" after the Conquest.
The long development of the interior architecture, resumed after the fire of 1922, began in 1786 when François Baillargé added woodwork to the choir and a baldachin. Based on European models, François Baillargé broke new ground with this kind of decoration, traces of which can be found in many parish churches, marking an important stage in the evolution towards a true interior architecture.
Interior view Photo: Notre-Dame-de-Québec |
he first decoration was completed in 1818 with the installation of a false-vault of
plaster after the plans of François Baillargé. In 1817, Thomas Baillargé,
son of François, readjusting the side chapels installed earlier by Pierre Émond.
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n 1920, important work was carried out in the cathedral. After the plans of the architects
Tanguay and Chènevert, the workers extended Baillargé's decoration in the nave.
Indeed, hitherto, only the choir had been decorated with carved woodwork. This work
required the removal of the galleries in the tribunal to allow enough space for the entablature to run across.
Baldaquin, François Baillargé, 1787-1795 Photo: Notre-Dame-de-Québec |
n December 22, 1922, the cathedral of Quebec was devastated by a fire. The following day,
all that remained of the building whose restoration had hardly begun were smoking ruins.
Consequently the following delicate question was raised: should the old church be rebuilt or
should a new one be constructed eliminating all traces of the past? The same problem had
occurred at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré that year, after the basilica burnt down. While at
Sainte-Anne, it was decided to build anew, in Quebec, the church, which witnessed the birth
and development of the first diocese of New France and was therefore of undeniable historical
value, was more or less rebuilt as it was before.
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Chapel Photo: Notre-Dame-de-Québec |
Stained glass window Photo: Notre-Dame-de-Québec |
Organ Photo: Notre-Dame-de-Québec |
ery few important changes were carried out. Only the chapel underwent a new treatment with
the addition of painted panels or "ciels," framed by conspicuous mouldings. The most
difficult task lay in reconstructing the furniture with only old photographs as guides. Thus,
the baldachin of François Baillargé was moulded out of plaster in Parisian workshops
after a model of it was made.
Episcopal seat Photo: Notre-Dame-de-Québec |
he present-day cathedral of Quebec offers a fairly faithful representation of the old
building that was consumed by flames despite the addition of new structures and use of
modern materials (steel, concrete, plaster) to make it fire-proof. The fire of 1922, however,
destroyed many of the works of art that decorated the church. All that remains are some paintings and fragments of sculptures. Among them, to name only one, is Saint Jérôme by the French painter David, an amazing and unique work of art in Quebec.
The cathedral of Quebec was classified as a historic building in 1966. |
 Text: Luc Noppen, Les Églises du Québec
(1600-1850), Éditeur officiel du Québec, FIDES, 1977, p. 164.English translation: Alice Ming Wai Jim |
Funerary Cahpel, inaugurated on May 29, 1993 Photo: Notre-Dame-de-Québec |
rançois de Laval, Founder of the Church in Americarançois de Laval was born in Montigny-sur-Avre, a borough of the diocese of Chartres, on April 30, 1623. He pursued his classical studies at the college of the Jésuites-de- la-Flèche and was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1647. Appointed apostolic vicar of New France, he was consecrated as bishop of Pétrée on December 8, 1658. He arrived in Quebec on June 16, 1659 with the mission of organizing the Catholic Church in this country. |
n March 26, 1663, Monseigneur de Laval signed the act for the foundation of the Seminary
of Quebec. In 1664, he built the first parish of the colony, Notre-Dame-de-Québec.
On October 9, 1668, he founded the Petit Séminaire, and, a few years later, the
school of arts and crafts in Saint-Joachim. On October 1, 1674, the apostolic vicar of
New France became the diocese of Quebec. François de Laval exerted his ministry with zeal
and generosity. A man of self-discipline and prayer, his life revolved around two important
devotions: to the Holy Family and the Angel Saints. Regardless of the season, he visited
his diocese regularly. His pastoral solicitude was towards all. He was concerned about the
evangelization of the Natives. He fought to have their dignity respected and was in opposition to the tradesmen who exploited them through brandy.
Mgr François de Laval Photo: Notre-Dame-de-Québec |
rançois de Laval, beatified on June 22, 1980, by Pope Jean-Paul II, is represented
by a reposing statue in bronze inspired by those of the Middle Ages. This bronze figure,
with its eyes towards heaven, speaks of the blessed life of the bishop. Dressed in his
episcopal clothing, the bishop looks over at the diocese for which he was responsible. On
the floor of the chapel, of a polished granite, is a map that charts the location of the
growing diocese from de Gaspé to Louisiana.
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rançois de Laval died on May 6, 1708, at the age of 85. He was buried in the
basement of the cathedral on May 9, 1708. In 1877, workers put his remains in a tomb made of
lead and transferred them to the crypt in the chapel of the Seminary of Quebec on May 23,
1950. When the external chapel was entrusted to the Museum of the Seminary, the Seminary
decided to return the blessed remains to the cathedral. This last transfer took place on
April 30, 1993.
| Text: Basilique-cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Québec English translation: Alice Ming Wai Jim |
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