The Ursuline Monastery
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Monument to Marie de l’Incarnation. This bronze sculpture by Émile Brunet was unveiled in 1942 to mark the 300th anniversary of the arrival to New France of Marie de l’Incarnation, who founded the Ursulines. |
In 1972, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) recognized the Ursuline Monastery in Québec City as a place of national historic significance for its historical and architectural values.
From the very beginnings of New France, the Ursuline community was closely linked with the destiny of Québec City and French America. Led by Marie-Madeleine de la Peltrie (1603–71) and Sister Marie de l’Incarnation (Marie Guyart, 1599–1672), the community arrived in Québec City in 1639 to establish a house for educating French and Aboriginal girls. The Ursulines fulfilled their task so well that the community spread throughout Quebec and beyond.
In 1641–42, the community built its first monastery on the site that it still occupies today. The years since then have seen major work in the wake of fires or for reconstruction and expansion. Nothing remains of the first two wooden monastery buildings (1641–50 and 1651–86) but still standing are three stone wings built in the late 17th century. There are many architectural features from that time, including the roof style, the frame, the chimneys and even the architectural hardware; these constitute the largest collection of architectural remains from the years 1670–1720 in Canada. Also contributing to the overall architectural value is the chapel retable, a masterwork carved by the Levasseur family around 1730.
Growing needs led to repeated expansion in the 19th century. This later construction has changed little and still retains its original appearance. The additions make this one of the largest group of monastic buildings constructed in Canada before 1880.
