The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is widely regarded as the most beautiful and oldest cathedral in North America. Its construction started in the 17th century and lasted 50 years.

A small village was destroyed to make way for the new church, the wooden church of St. Jacques, built in 1832. Later, in 1841, it was replaced by a larger one, designed by Antoine Robillard and Father Cannon in the neoclassical style. In 1844, after finishing the lower part, Father Telmon made a project of the upper part in the neo-Gothic style, which was very popular in architecture at that time. The principal structure was finished in 1846, and in 1847, the church became the cathedral of Bytown. Father Damase Dandurand designed the two Gothic spires in 1859, but they were added only in 1866. In 1875, architect James R. Bowes designed the new galleries and improved the interior layout and decoration. In 1879, Pope Leo XIII gave the cathedral the status of a minor basilica.

The organ in the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica was installed in the middle of the 19th century. It became a real masterpiece! The cathedral organ sounds incredibly beautiful. Originally, It consisted of 1063 pipes. But after the reconstruction, their number increased to 4700. For more than 25 years, Amedee Tremblay (Amédée Tremblay), the famous composer and one of the best organists in the world, served in the cathedral.

Many travelers notice the sharp contrast between the modest appearance and the luxurious interior of the cathedral. Parishioners and tourists admire Gothic arches, stained glass windows, painted ceilings, sculptures of religious figures, an exquisitely carved altar and organs. The stained-glass windows depict St. Patrick, St. Paul, Virgin Mary and other saints significant for Catholics. In the basilica, you can also see hundreds of sculptures by Pierre Hebert (Pierre Hébert). The choir is adorned with thirty wooden statues. At the end of the room, there is a delightful sculptural group – the Holy Trinity, John the Baptist and the patron saint of all French and Irish Catholics, St. Patrick. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica houses the tombs of Governor-General Georges Vanier and Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier.

Spiers covered with tin, and a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary with an infant in her arms are clearly visible from Parliament Hill and are the hallmark of the capital. The basilica has the status of a National Historic Site of Canada.