The significance of the Catholic Church, another major feature of urban growth in New France, is indicated by these sizeable buildings, begun in 1685 but shown here as they were after 1710. The Church, of course, ministered as well to the farming population of the colony and to Indians at far-spread mission sites. Yet its power and wealth was centred in the emerging urban communities where its churches, convents, seminaries and hospitals played a vital part in social and cultural development. The influential Sulpician Order arrived in Montreal in 1657, founded the seminary, served the parish church of Notre Dame and became seigneurs of most of the land in the vicinity. Part of the old seminary still stands, adjoining the present Notre Dame.
Courtesy: John Ross Robertson Collection, Metropolitan Toronto Library Board
