Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours

This small chapel, Montréal's oldest church, dates back to 1657. Margaret Bourgeoys, who founded the Notre Dame congregation of nuns, initiated construction, originally to provide sailors a refuge of peace and comfort. Legend has it that Montréal's founder, Paul Chomedey, personally cut timbers for the small chapel. A statue, "Our Lady of Good Hope" (hence "de Bon Secours"), was donated by the French. The statue reaches out her arms to protect sailors from the treacherous seas. The Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum on site has exhibits of historical and archaeological interest.