Sainte-Marie among the Hurons

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons (French: Sainte-Marie-au-pays-des-Hurons) was a 17th century French Jesuit mission in Wendake, the land of the Huron (Wendat) nation, located near modern Midland, Ontario.

Modern reconstruction

The site lay dormant until 1844, when Jesuit Fr. Pierre Chazelle conducted initial site excavations. Father Félix Martin continued this in 1855, and in 1940 the Society of Jesus purchased the property where Sainte-Marie stood. In 1941, Kenneth Kidd of the Royal Ontario Museum undertook the first scientific excacations of the site. Wilfrid and Elsie Jury of the University of Western Ontario undertook additional excavations, and in 1954 the graves of Brébeuf and Lalemant were discovered by Fr. Dennis Hegarty.

Related Topics:
1844 - Pierre Chazelle - Félix Martin - 1855 - 1941 - Royal Ontario Museum - University of Western Ontario - 1954 - Dennis Hegarty

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The eight martyred missionaries were canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1930, and are collectively known as the Canadian Martyrs.

Related Topics:
Canonized - Pope Pius XI - 1930 - Canadian Martyrs

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Today, Sainte-Marie has been rebuilt as a historical site and living museum. The site, adjacent to the Martyrs' Shrine, was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1984 as part of his papal visit to Canada.

Related Topics:
Martyrs' Shrine - Pope John Paul II - 1984

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