Have you noticed the ships? Suspended from the vaulted ceiling of Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours. These miniature vessels are a testament to the chapel’s deep connection with sailors.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours stands as one of Montreal’s oldest and most cherished churches. Its history is woven into the very fabric of the city. We are standing at 400 Saint Paul Street East.
The story of Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours begins with Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys. She was Montreal’s first teacher and the founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame. In 1655 she rallied the colonists to build a chapel. Returning from France in 1673, Bourgeoys brought a wooden image of Our Lady of Good Help. The stone church was completed in 1678.
But tragedy struck in 1754. The chapel burned to the ground. Miraculously the reliquary and statue were rescued. They were placed above the entrance of the rebuilt church in 1771.
After the British conquered Montreal during the French and Indian War, the chapel served a new purpose. It welcomed Irish and Scottish troops and their families. It even became a fundraising hub for Saint Patrick’s Church. This was Montreal’s first anglophone Catholic parish.
In the 19th century, Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours transformed into a pilgrimage site for sailors. Arriving at the Old Port of Montreal, they offered thanks to the Virgin. They were grateful for her good help during their voyages. Bishop Ignace Bourget gifted the chapel a statue of the Virgin as Star of the Sea in 1849. It was placed atop the church overlooking the harbour. This cemented the chapel’s identity as the Sailors’ Church.
Bishop Bourget also donated a votive offering. This was in thanks for the end of the typhus epidemic. The disease struck Montreal hard in 1847. It was brought by ships carrying Irish people fleeing the famine.
Today Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours also houses the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum. It is dedicated to the life of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and the early history of Montreal. Below the chapel lies an active archaeological site. Visitors can explore First Nations and French colonial artifacts. They can also view the foundations of the first chapel and colony fortifications.
The chapel’s spire offers stunning views of the Old Port and Saint Lawrence River. In 2005 Marguerite Bourgeoys’s remains were brought back to the church. She now rests in the sanctuary. In 2023 a major digitization operation was launched. It celebrated the 250th anniversary of the chapel.
As you explore Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours note the two works by Ozias Leduc. They adorn the back wall. One depicts Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve the founder of Montreal. He donated the land for the original chapel. The other is of Marguerite Bourgeoys. The wooden statuette of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours that Marguerite brought from France can still be seen today in the left altar.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours stands as a testament to faith perseverance and community. It is a place where sailors sought solace immigrants found welcome and Montreal’s history comes alive. Its stones whisper tales of devotion resilience and the enduring spirit of this remarkable city.