Beautiful churches in Old Quebec

Old Quebec is filled with beautiful, old churches. There are lots of churches in Old Quebec, which is not surprising, given the French and English history.

The largest, and perhaps the most famous is the Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica Cathedral. It is the main church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec. It is the oldest church in Canada and was the first church in Canada to be elevated to the rank of minor basilica, by Pope Pius IX in 1874. The figure of Christ, in gold at the top, shows him as victorious, unlike most depictions that show him suffering on the cross. This was done deliberately to show the English that the French, e.g. Catholics, will not be subdued.

Another beautiful Catholic church is the Chappelle des Ursulines. The Chappelle des Ursulines has one of the most stunning 18th-century sculpted wood interiors still in existence in the province of Québec.

The pretty stained glass window at the chapel.

Marie de l’Incarnation, the founder of the Community of the Ursulines of Québec, played a key role during New France’s first decades. The original monastery, whose construction she oversaw, also housed the colony’s first school for young girls. Adjacent to the chapel, the oratory houses the tomb of Marie de l’Incarnation.

And of course, there are Anglican churches in Old Quebec too. Here is the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It is the first Anglican cathedral built outside the British Isles.

On my walks, I came across this lovely church. I can’t remember what denomination this is, maybe Congregational?

And, last but not least, a Presbyterian Church.

I would have loved to have gone inside these churches, but alas, I was out at 6 am and they weren’t open. Both of these beautiful churches were on the same street, right across from one another.

Even if one is not a church goer, one can still admire the beauty of these buildings.

Where are your favorite churches?