The Parishes
In New France, two systems shared this duty. On one hand, the seigniorial regime regulated ownership of the land and its resources and determined the development of certain original landscapes, particularly the grid of rectangular fields that make up the ranges. On the other hand, contrary to the lordship that preceded the arrival of settlers, the parish, which also determined land organisation, followed the settling of the territory. A form of spatial organisation centred on the administration of individuals, the parish was the closest institution to the people. The parish was also the basis of civil, political and, of course, religious organisation of the colony, an all-encompassing environment. Furthermore, in New France, the parish assumed an expanded role not restricted to religious endeavours. For example, the State regularly called upon it for administrative purposes, such as for militia recruiting and censuses. Lastly, the establishment of a parish is proof that the inhabitants took root on a new land and that their living conditions were improving.

Notebook containing the little catechism taught to young Micmac children, circa 1750
(left: Micmac, right: French)
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Collection, MS-64

Première messe trifluvienne, 26 juillet 1615, undated
in Fastes trifluviens: tableaux d'histoire trifluvienne sous le régime français, 1931
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Library, 590.3.29

Arrivée des Ursulines, 9 octobre 1697, undated
in Fastes trifluviens: tableaux d'histoire trifluvienne sous le régime français, 1931
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Library, 590.3.29

L'arrivée de Mgr Montmorency-Laval à Québec, undated
Maurice Petitdidier
in Émile Gervais, Le Vénérable François Montmorency-Laval, 1952
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Library, 645.4

L'Église de Sainte-Foy, 1855
Jospeh Légaré
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Collection, 1991.34

Vue de l'intérieur de l'église des Récollets, undated
Artiste inconnu
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Collection, 1993.15654

Ville-Marie en 1642, 1886
W. Décary
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Collection, 1993.16141

View from Esplanade, Quebec, undated
Robert Auchmuty Sproule
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Collection, 1993.17064

The Private Chapel of the Ursuline Convent, Quebec, 1840
John Richard Coke Smyth
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Collection, 1993.21100.26

Intérieur de la chapelle du Petit Cap, St. Joachim, 1850
M. Charles Laverdière
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Archives, PH1986-0916

Plan d'Eglise par Mr Jean Maillou, circa 1715
Jean Maillou
Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec Archives, Z-160
The creation of parishes
Between 1664 and 1684, Monseigneur de Laval created twenty-five parishes in New France. This Episcopal and pastoral solicitude filled the need for colonial preaching and for grouping the believers in communities. Building churches, establishing parishes, sending priests to the lands of the Saint Lawrence River valley and ensuring their survival with the help of tithes allowed not only the spreading of the Word of God, but also the fulfilment of all other duties established by Divine and Ecclesiastical Law, such as the administration of the sacraments, the celebration of services and the salvation of souls.