The first churches built in the early days of the colony (1600-1664) were chapels built by missionaries on Amerindian sites.
© Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec 2006
Using Native building techniques, they were simple bark structures or chapels built in the style of the "long houses". They had a very short life span. These chapels were built throughout the XVIIth century, on mission sites in the territory.
| Long houses Dwellings built by the Iroquois people in which several families lived. They were about 8 metres wide and the length varied considerably. Some have been discovered in Southern Ontario measuring up to 94 metres long. They were found throughout Iroquois territory as of the XIIth century. In the XVIIIth century, long houses were primarily used for meetings. Close this window |
In the French colonies, the churches were generally wood frame structures. They were fragile and fire was their principal enemy. In 1647, the Jesuits built the Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix in Quebec City; it was the first stone parish church in New France. The Jesuit plan, served as a model for several other religious constructions.
| Jesuit plan This plan was named for the first missionaries who built the first stone church in Quebec City. The building has a nave which is crossed two-thirds of the way down by a transept. This type of church is called a “Latin cross” church. The ends of the transept provide space for two side chapels. Close this window |
The French-style church (1664-1700) evolved as the colony grew. In 1663, King Louis XIV assumed responsibility for colonial development, which had been in the hands of the merchant companies until that time. At this time, the population grew rapidly as many new settlers arrived. In the urban setting, churches were built in keeping with classical French monumental architecture although certain modifications were made to deal with the realities of New France. These sites of worship served as a model for parish churches for many years.
| Merchant companies These were commercial undertakings that received a trade monopoly for a territory and which were responsible for settling colonists there. They were also responsible for administering the colony. The principal merchant companies in New France were: the Compagnie des Cent-Associés, the Compagnie des Habitants, the Compagnie des Indes Occidentales and the Compagnie du Nord (which competed with the Hudson’s Bay Company). Close this window |
| Classical monumental architecture Classical buildings were to be in perfect harmony with their function. Symmetry, geometric rigueur, and sobriety of surfaces and plans were sought after. Classical monumental architecture opposed baroque architecture which was characterized by ornamental excess, with curves and counter-curves. Close this window |
In the rural areas, churches took their simple shapes from the old wooden chapels. In about 1700, the architecture of these churches underwent change. Soon they were built along the lines of the Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix in Quebec City, which became the “typical church” promoted by Monsignor de Laval, meaning that the Jesuit plan became the model to follow. In the XVIIth century, the bell was located in the crossing, just as in Europe.
| Monsignor de Laval François-Xavier de Montmorency-Laval, first bishop of Quebec and Canada, was born in 1623 in Montigny-sur-Avre, France. He was ordained in 1647, then made a bishop in 1658 at the age of 35. He arrived in Quebec in 1659 and dedicated himself to his large bishopric, New France. In 1883, Monsignor de Laval founded the Grand Séminaire de Québec to train the clergy. He died in 1708 at the age of 86. Close this window |
| Crossing This is the space determined by the crossing of the nave and the transept in Latin cross churches. Close this window |
In the XVIIIth century, the parish church became truly original. The existing churches were expanded, with most of the work being done on the front. This provided an opportunity to touch up the principal exterior attraction of the building. When moving the front, the builders took the opportunity to install the bell at the front of the church, which it would be placed not on the frame of the crossing but on the very structure of the church. The construction of an entrance also provided the opportunity to make a space for the organ. Moreover, the bell could be more imposing, giving more prestige to the church.Starting in about 1720, new churches were built in keeping with the modified Jesuit plan. These modifications gave rise to a new architectural shape.
During the same period, Recollet plan left its mark on the architecture of religious buildings. This plan, which had no transept, was very popular in that it provided certain savings in terms of cost and time. During these years, a simpler plan was developed. It was known as the Maillou plan. It was often used when a church was built at the same time as a parish was created.
| Recollet plan Plan named after the community which built several churches in New France. These churches had large transepts but no naves, which became smaller at the choir so as to create interior chapels. The nave ended with a flat or semi-circular chevet. The Récollets, who were also called Franciscans, were the first missionaries in North America, arriving here in 1615. Close this window |
| Transept This is the traverse portion which separates the choir from the nave and forms the arms of the cross, in a Latin cross church. Close this window |
| Maillou plan Plan attributed to a drawing by Jean Maillou, architect and master mason. He simplified the Jesuit plan, designing a relatively small church with low walls. The building was simple. The choir, which was the same size as the rectangular nave, was a closed semicircle. No transept crosses through the nave. Close this window |
Thus, the architectural models that existed in France were not formally implemented in the St. Lawrence Valley. Instead, they were adapted in keeping with the material, climatic and economic conditions of New France.
By the time of the Conquest, the architectural tradition was already firmly established in the St. Lawrence Valley. The lack of both specialized labour and financial resources slowed the development of a British style of architecture.
To learn about the architecture of churches under the British Regime, we invite you to return on January 23, 2007.
Sources:
NOPPEN, Luc. Les églises du Québec (1600-1850), Québec, Fides, 1977,
pp. 3-28.
BÉDARD, Hélène. Maisons et églises du Québec XVIIe, XVIIIe, XIXe siècles, Québec, Ministère des affaires culturelles du Québec, 1971, pp. 29-47.
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