Qucbec City's Historical Churches Walking Tour (Self Guided), Quebec City

The first religious buildings in Canada were established by the Récollets and Jesuits, in 1615 and 1625, respectively, when they first arrived in New France. Later on, the French colonists brought along their culture and architectural traditions, and the establishment of British and evangelical society triggered further major developments in Quebec City.

Over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, Quebec City firmly established itself as a center of Catholicism in North America, with the most prominent and well-known religious site from that period being the Basilica-Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Québec – one of the oldest cathedrals on the continent and the mother church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec.

While predominantly Catholic, Quebec City is also home to several other significant places of worship of Protestant, Pentecostal, and other Christian denominations. The Anglican Church of Canada has a presence in the city, as does the United Church of Canada. The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, in the heart of Old Quebec, featuring Palladian style, is the seat of the Anglican Diocese of Quebec and was built in the early 19th century.

Quebec City's spiritual scene reflects a diverse range of beliefs and practices, including a strong tradition of pilgrimage, all of which is manifested in numerous churches, chapels, and other institutions, sometimes several centuries-old, dotting the downtown area.

For a more detailed acquaintance with the peculiarities of Quebec City's spirituality and architecture, embark on this self-guided quest.