Couvent de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame et école Notre-Dame-du-Sourire

Institution founded in 1855, Chambly, Québec.

The history of Chambly Convent-School and Notre-Dame-du-Sourire School spans a period of nearly one hundred twenty years with many twists and turns. It began in 1855, when Pastor Pierre-Marie Mignault requested that the Congrégation de Notre-Dame sisters provide education to the girls of Saint-Joseph-de-Chambly Parish. The mission was undertaken by three founding sisters: Sister Saint-Paul (Archange-Liduvine Laurier), Sister Sainte-Gertrude (Marie-Delphine Huot) and Sister Sainte-Marie-du-Sacré-Cœur (Mary Elisabeth Aloysia Boland). To help establish the convent and school, a generous benefactor, acquired land near the Chambly Basin and built a convent which she bequeathed to the Congrégation de Notre-Dame. Later, the Congregation purchased another piece of land located between the convent and the benefactor’s house. At the beginning of the 1855 school year, thirty-seven students found their place at the desks of the convent-school for the first time. Grade 1 to grade 9 classes were offered. Later, each teacher also offered sewing and English classes. In 1884, the school had to close because of a typhoid epidemic among the students.

The history of Chambly Convent-School and Notre-Dame-du-Sourire School spans a period of nearly one hundred twenty years with many twists and turns. It began in 1855, when Pastor Pierre-Marie Mignault requested that the Congrégation de Notre-Dame sisters provide education to the girls of Saint-Joseph-de-Chambly Parish. The mission was undertaken by three founding sisters: Sister Saint-Paul (Archange-Liduvine Laurier), Sister Sainte-Gertrude (Marie-Delphine Huot) and Sister Sainte-Marie-du-Sacré-Cœur (Mary Elisabeth Aloysia Boland). To help establish the convent and school, a generous benefactor, acquired land near the Chambly Basin and built a convent which she bequeathed to the Congrégation de Notre-Dame. Later, the Congregation purchased another piece of land located between the convent and the benefactor’s house. At the beginning of the 1855 school year, thirty-seven students found their place at the desks of the convent-school for the first time. Grade 1 to grade 9 classes were offered. Later, each teacher also offered sewing and English classes. In 1884, the school had to close because of a typhoid epidemic among the students.

In addition to school activities, the students of the convent-school were also encouraged to participate in religious associations, such as Enfants de Marie, Anges Gardiens, Enfant Jésus and Aspirantes. In 1902, electricity came to the classrooms, the chapel and the dormitories. Three years later, the annex, built in 1888, was renovated and a new branch school was built and named L’Ange-Gardien. A Way of the Cross in relief was also erected. In 1926, a coal bunker, a modern chicken coup and a tennis court were added. The convent-school underwent many repairs and renovations. It even saw the national highway, which the Ministry of Highways had decided to widen, pass through its land. Later, in 1928, unfortunately some sisters were stricken by paratyphoid. The creation of Notre-Dame de Nazareth Alumnae Association in May 1930, allowed former students to meet once or twice a year.

From 1935, the School Commission administered grades 5 and 6. From August 1951, it became responsible for all the classes of the boarding school except grade 1. From the 1950s, other associations were created: Jeunesse des Écoles Catholiques, Croisillons, Union Mariale and Service missionnaire. In 1954, however, L’Ange-Gardien School was demolished and was replaced by a new one designed by the architect of the Department of Public Instruction and named Notre-Dame-du-Sourire. This initiative met the need for space of Chambly’s ever-increasing population. Only the students from grade 1 to grade 6 were received. When the school opened in September 1954, the student population numbered three hundred forty-three. In 1956, this school was also enlarged in order to receive additional classes. Because of all the repairs, expenses increased. Sadly, in 1972, the Provincial Council decided to close Notre-Dame-du-Sourire School and two years later, it was sold to the Town of Chambly.

NB: This text was written using documents found in the archival holdings in our possession and does not constitute a complete administrative history of the teaching establishment.

Exterior view - Convent of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame

Exterior view - Convent of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, Chambly, Quebec, [ca. 1900].

Couvent de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame et école Notre-Dame-du-Sourire

Couvent de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame et école Notre-Dame-du-Sourire

Chambly, Quebec

Institution fondée en 1855

Dernière adresse : 56, rue Martel

Couvent de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame et école Notre-Dame-du-Sourire

Couvent de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame et école Notre-Dame-du-Sourire

Chambly, Quebec

Institution fondée en 1855

Dernière adresse : 1452, rue LeBel

Couvent de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame et école Notre-Dame-du-Sourire

Couvent de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame et école Notre-Dame-du-Sourire

Chambly, Quebec

Institution fondée en 1855

Dernière adresse : 1055, rue Notre-Dame

First location : 56, rue Martel
Second location : 1452, rue LeBel
Third location : 1055, rue Notre-Dame