Notre Dame des Victoires
Encyclopedia
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires is a small Roman Catholic stone church in the Lower Town of Quebec City
. Construction was started in 1687 on site of Champlain's habitation
and was completed in 1723.
Originally dedicated to l'Enfant Jésus, it received the name Notre-Dame-de-la-Victoire following the Battle of Quebec
of 1690, in which an English expedition commanded by William Phips
was forced to retreat. In 1711, its name was changed again, to Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, after bad weather had sunk a British fleet commanded by Hovenden Walker
.
The church was largely destroyed by the British bombardment that preceded the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
in September 1759. A complete restoration of the church was finished in 1816.
François Baillairgé
, architect, remodeled the facade of the church in 1916-17.
The church, which was listed as a historic monument in 1929, remains a popular tourist attraction within the city, as well as a place of worship. It has undergone extensive restoration in recent decades, to restore its colonial French character. It was designated a National Historic Sites of Canada in 1988 and plaqued in 1992.
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
. Construction was started in 1687 on site of Champlain's habitation
and was completed in 1723.
Originally dedicated to l'Enfant Jésus, it received the name Notre-Dame-de-la-Victoire following the Battle of Quebec
Battle of Quebec (1690)
The Battle of Quebec was fought in October 1690 between the colonies of New France and Massachusetts Bay, then ruled by the kingdoms of France and England, respectively. It was the first time Quebec's defences were tested....
of 1690, in which an English expedition commanded by William Phips
William Phips
Sir William Phips was a shipwright, ship's captain, treasure hunter, military leader, and the first royally-appointed governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay....
was forced to retreat. In 1711, its name was changed again, to Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, after bad weather had sunk a British fleet commanded by Hovenden Walker
Hovenden Walker
Sir Hovenden Walker was a British naval officer noted for having led an abortive 1711 expedition against Quebec City, then the capital of New France....
.
The church was largely destroyed by the British bombardment that preceded the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
Battle of the Plains of Abraham
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham, also known as the Battle of Quebec, was a pivotal battle in the Seven Years' War...
in September 1759. A complete restoration of the church was finished in 1816.
François Baillairgé
François Baillairgé
François Baillairgé was an architect who also pursued painting and wood sculpture.The son of Jean Baillairgé, François began an apprenticeship in his father's shop at the age of 14. There he studied and practised woodworking, wood-carving, and architecture. His brother, Pierre-Florent, was also...
, architect, remodeled the facade of the church in 1916-17.
The church, which was listed as a historic monument in 1929, remains a popular tourist attraction within the city, as well as a place of worship. It has undergone extensive restoration in recent decades, to restore its colonial French character. It was designated a National Historic Sites of Canada in 1988 and plaqued in 1992.