1

1609: Samuel de Champlain arrives at the trading post at St. Éloi Island, a gathering point for the Native American and fur traders. He names the Batiscan River in the honor of Algonquin chief Pat Askam he has met.

2

1639: The Jesuits become owners of the Batiscan seigniory, which was one of the largest conceded in New France. The community decides to establish a mission on this vast territory in order to evangelize and settle the Native American populations. They truly took possession of the lands about twenty years later.

3

1666: First concessions of land to the settlers in Batiscan. Around thirty concessions are granted over a short period.

4

1668: Beginning of the construction of a windmill at St. Éloi Island, completed in 1671. All settlers are obligated to have their grain milled there. Pierre Mandin was the village miller for a year and was replaced by Louis Le Bercier.

5

Windmill at Pointe St. Éloi
17th century, circa 1671
St. Éloi Island, Batiscan (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Drawing by Berthe - I. Brunelle of Batiscan

6

1669: On May 25th, Mgr Laval, first bishop of New France, visits Batiscan. Realizing that the community has a fair size, he recommends to priest Germain Morin, a missionary in the area, to oversee its organization.

7

1674: Construction of a rudimentary thatched-roof and log chapel. The building is called a chapel because at the time of its erection, the parish had yet to be constituted. Religious ceremonies were previously held at Nicolas Rivard's home, a captain of militia owning land adjacent to the property of the parish priest.

8

First chapel of Batiscan
17th century, circa 1674
Batiscan (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Drawing by Berthe - I. Brunelle of Batiscan

9

1684: Canonical erection of the parish of St. François-Xavier de Batiscan by Mgr François Montmorency de Laval. At the time, the parish counted 280 souls. Claude Volant de St-Claude was to be its first stable and permanent parish priest.

10

1696: Construction of the first presbytery facing the St. Lawrence. Nicolas Foucault, parish priest of St. François-Xavier de Batiscan covered the expenses.

11

First presbytery of Batiscan
17th century, circa 1696
Batiscan (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Drawing by Berthe - I. Brunelle of Batiscan

12

1708: Construction of the first stone church in Batiscan.

13

First church of Batiscan
18th century, circa 1708
Batiscan (Quebec), Canada

Credits:
Drawing by Berthe - I. Brunelle of Batiscan

14

1723: Construction of the Chemin du Roy. This is the first road suitable for carriages between Quebec and Montreal. In Batiscan, the road layout would be modified four times over the years.