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Saint-Laurent
Saint-Laurent · 239 photographs · 1947–1975
A church dismantled stone by stone downtown was rebuilt on the grounds of Collège de Saint-Laurent to become its chapel. The former St. Paul’s Presbyterian church now houses Québec’s museum of fine crafts, the MUMAQ. Architect Lucien Parent reconstructed it around a concrete frame and adapted it for Catholic worship, adding an organ gallery, confessionals and new stained glass. Raising the chapel also made room for Salle Émile-Legault, the performance space used by the Compagnons de Saint-Laurent theatre company.
On Avenue Sainte-Croix, a parish church built in 1732 was replaced by the present building in 1835–1836. The college’s first building followed in 1852, beginning an educational complex enlarged over more than a century. Tram service subsequently encouraged a commercial corridor along today’s Boulevard Décarie and brought new families to Saint-Laurent. During the Second World War, Canadair’s aircraft industry attracted working families; Wartime Housing Limited built the Norvick neighbourhood along curved streets and crescents.
Key places
- Québec museum of fine crafts : relocated former St. Paul’s church.
- Saint-Laurent parish church : building dating from 1835–1836.
- Saint-Laurent college : educational complex developed from 1852.
- Décarie boulevard : commercial corridor encouraged by tram service.
- Norvick neighbourhood : workers’ housing and curving streets.
Timeline
- 1732 parish church built.
- 1835–1836 present church built.
- 1852 first college building.
- 1930 downtown church purchased for reconstruction at the college.
