In 1657, the Roman Catholic Sulpician Order arrived in Ville-Marie, now known as Montreal.

[1] Throughout the 18th century, the city's primary landmarks were the bell tower of Notre-Dame and Citadel hill.

By 1824 the congregation had completely outgrown the church, and James O'Donnell, an Irish-American Protestant from New York, was commissioned to design the Notre-Dame Basilica.

Foundations from the original Notre-Dame Church lie under Place d'Armes, and were unearthed during the square's 2009-2011 renovations.

Some grave were re-interred in 1799 to Saint-Antoine Cemetery in what is now Dorchester Square and Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery after bylaw prevented burials within the city in 1853.