Sainte-Croix-de-Tadoussac Mission Church, Historic wooden chapel in Tadoussac, Canada
Sainte-Croix-de-Tadoussac Mission Church is a wooden chapel in Tadoussac built with timber framing and covered in horizontal clapboard siding. The structure features a front-gable roof and small bell tower at its entrance, positioned along the river.
The church was built between 1747 and 1750 by carpenter Michel Lavoie at Father Coquart's request as a missionary outpost. This wooden structure became one of the earliest permanent religious buildings in the region.
The church entrance faces the river instead of following traditional Christian orientation, reflecting how Indigenous customs influenced the building's design. This choice shows respect for local traditions within a European religious structure.
The church is located on Rue du Bord-de-l'Eau in Tadoussac and is protected as a national historic site. Visitors should be prepared for changes in weather as it is a riverside location with limited shelter during tours.
This is the oldest surviving wooden church in Canada, combining European and Indigenous building methods in its construction. The carpentry techniques used reflect how European craftsmen adapted their skills to local materials and climate conditions.
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