La Chapelle des Pères Plaque

“Ici s’élevait la chapelle des pères de la doctrine chrétienne ou fut inhumé le 10 septembre 1676 Paul de Chomedey sieur de Maisonneuve gouverneur fondateur de Montréal Québec Canada” reads the inscription on this plaque. It stands quietly on the wall of a building at 10 rue Rollin in Paris, France. This seemingly unassuming plaque marks the spot where La Chapelle des Pères once stood. This was a significant place, not only for its religious role but also because it was the final resting place of a remarkable individual. La Chapelle des Pères, a chapel dedicated to the Fathers of the Christian Doctrine, was a place of worship and a beacon of faith for the community. It welcomed those seeking solace, guidance, and connection to the divine. However, La Chapelle des Pères was more than just a house of prayer. It was also the final resting place of a truly remarkable figure, the founder of Montreal, Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve. A symbol of courage, perseverance, and unwavering devotion, de Maisonneuve played a pivotal role in establishing a settlement in what was then a wild and untamed frontier. He arrived in what is now Montreal in 1642. He led his colonists with steadfast determination, facing hardships and overcoming challenges with unwavering spirit. De Maisonneuve, a true visionary, transformed a small colony into a thriving center of French settlement. He battled to keep his colony alive, facing threats from native tribes and the harsh reality of life in the wilderness. The unwavering spirit of de Maisonneuve helped shape the destiny of Montreal. He left a lasting legacy, not just as the founder of the city but as a symbol of the pioneer spirit, a true testament to the indomitable human capacity to overcome adversity, build from the ground up, and create something remarkable. Today, his memory lives on in the heart of the city he built and in the plaque on this building in Paris, France, where his earthly journey came to an end. This plaque is a reminder of the profound impact of a man who dared to dream and to build a life for others.