Is it possible that Montreal’s oldest clock ticks within the walls of the Saint-Sulpice Seminary? This isn’t just a building. It’s a time capsule holding centuries of Montreal’s history. The Saint-Sulpice Seminary stands as the second oldest structure in Montreal. It is a designated National Historic Site of Canada.
Founded in 1657 by the Society of Priests of Saint Sulpice, the seminary has been under their care since its inception. Construction began in 1684. François Dollier de Casson was the superior of the Sulpicians then. The main construction was completed in 1687. Additions like the clock were completed by 1713. The Saint-Sulpice Seminary was dedicated to educating secular priests. It also focused on mission work among native peoples in New France.
The Saint-Sulpice Seminary’s clock is one of the oldest of its kind in North America. Constructed and installed in 1701, the clock’s dial was crafted in Paris. Paul Labrosse engraved it and the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame gilded it.
The Saint-Sulpice Seminary gardens follow a monastic tradition. The Sulpicians created these gardens in the 17th century. They aimed to grow fruits and vegetables. The garden mirrors the French Renaissance style. Geometrical arrangements define the lawns and the central statue. These gardens are among the oldest in North America.
The Saint-Sulpice Seminary has served as a residence for the Priests of Saint Sulpice for over 325 years. The oldest part of the Saint-Sulpice Seminary has remained largely unchanged. Its facade features rough-cut argillaceous limestone masonry. The neoclassical entrance gate was built in 1740. A gabled roof tops the building, along with a clock and a pinnacle. The whole construction rests on three subterranean vaults.
The east and west wings were likely built in the early 1710s. The east wing was replaced between 1848 and 1854. Architect John Ostell designed the new wing in neoclassical style. The Saint-Sulpice Seminary’s facade on Rue Notre-Dame is enclosed by a stone wall. The wall was built in the early 18th century. Behind the buildings lie the garden and outbuildings.
The Saint-Sulpice Seminary is the oldest tangible witness to the founding of the seigniorial regime. It also shows the spread of Catholicism in Montreal during the 17th century. The priests have maintained cultural and religious traditions.
From an architectural perspective, the Saint-Sulpice Seminary is superlative. Its Ionic entrance is the only neo-classical exterior ornamentation dating from the French regime. The vegetable garden has been cultivated for over three hundred years.
In 1663, the Sociéte Notre-Dame de Montréal granted its ownership rights on Montreal Island to the Society of Priests of Saint Sulpice. Alexandre Le Ragois de Bretonvilliers paid the Society’s debt. In 1684, construction began on a new residence. It was finished in 1687. The building stood on one of the city’s highest points.
In 1840, the Bishop of Montreal asked the Sulpicians to train priests. The Sulpicians decided to demolish the Saint-Sulpice Seminary and build a new one. However, in 1854, they stopped work on the seminary site. Their residence has been preserved since then.
Today, the Saint-Sulpice Seminary stands as a window into Montreal’s past. The unbroken occupation by the same religious community makes it a significant site. The Saint-Sulpice Seminary preserves traditions and holds a rich collection of archives. It remains a vital part of Montreal. Its story echoes through the ages.