1200 Rue de Bleury

The Church of the Gesù – A Hidden Gem of Montreal’s Religious and Cultural Heritage

It might not stand out much from the outside today, but the Church of the Gesù holds a rich and storied past. Built between 1864 and 1865, it is one of Montreal’s oldest surviving religious buildings. According to Wikipedia, it was also the site of a historic moment—the first “electric candle” in Canada was lit here in 1878.

Originally, the church served as the chapel for Collège Sainte-Marie, an institution run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), which played a significant role in education in Quebec. While the college itself no longer exists, the Church of the Gesù is the last remaining structure of the original complex. The surrounding stone walls are remnants of the former college grounds, and a commemorative plaque honoring the Jesuits can still be found just outside the church.

Today, the building is more than a place of worship—it also houses an amphitheater that hosts various cultural events, performances, and presentations, maintaining its connection to the arts and education in a new form. Though easy to overlook, this historic site is well worth a visit for those interested in Montreal’s religious, educational, and architectural history.

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