About Kahnawake, Quebec:
Jesuit missionaries first established the Mission of St. Francis Xavier (also known as the Caughnawaga Mission) in 1667 at La Prairie (Kentake). The community relocated several times before settling permanently in Kahnawake (then Caughnawaga) around 1716–1718.
The natives here, the Mohawk Tribe, remained allies of the French until the fall of New France (New France fell to British forces between 1759 and 1763, culminating in the Treaty of Paris, which ceded the colony to Britain and reshaped North American geopolitics.
About Saint Francis Xavier Shrine in Kahnawake, Quebec:
Kahnawake is home to the National Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680) was the first North American Indigenous person to be canonized (2012). Her tomb and shrine are located inside the church, making it a major pilgrimage site. It is a National Historic Site of Canada (designated 1966), recognized for its role in Jesuit missionary work among the Mohawk people and its ties to French alliances in New France.
The site includes artifacts, religious art, and Indigenous heritage items; remnants of Fort St. Louis (built 1725 for protection); the old presbytery (ca. 1716–1719, one of the oldest buildings, now partly a museum); the Sacristy (1831–1832) and the church (the current structure dates from 1845).
The Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine features her tomb, relics, and devotional items. The church is notable for its architecture, murals, painted altar, and historic interior.
A museum, housed in the original 1720 rectory/presbytery; displays 17th–18th century artifacts, gifts from France, and Indigenous/Canadian/European heritage items. There is also a gift shop with religious items, indigenous art/crafts, books, and souvenirs related to Saint Kateri.
The site combines Catholic history, Indigenous heritage, and early Canadian colonial history, with scenic views along the Saint Lawrence River.
The original rectory of 1720 once contained a parlor, offices and priests’ chambers. This area now houses a museum, exhibiting many gifts from France and historic artifacts of Indigenous, Canadian and European heritage, dating back to the 17th century. The museum is open Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Traveling to Saint Francis Xavier Shrine in Kahnawake, Quebec:
The Saint Francis Xavier Shrine is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, 11 miles southwest of Montreal. It is a respectful religious and cultural site on Mohawk Territory—visitors should behave accordingly.
Address: 1 River Road, Kahnawake, Quebec (Mohawk Territory,
Mailing address: P.O. Box 70, Kahnawake (Qc) J0L 1B0
Phone: +1 (450) 632-6030
email: saintkaterishrine@yahoo.ca
Visit the official website of Saint Francis Xavier Shrine in Kahnawake, Quebec.
A virtual tour is available on YouTube via Kahnawake Tourism for a preview.