History

The idea of opening a museum with an educational vocation, where the history of Québec and religious traditions are both promoted first came about in September 1981. A year later, the museum`s corporation was created and its first photography exhibit on the region`s religious treasures was launched. A propositional report was lodged by the executive committee in November of 1983.

In 1986, the Museum opened its doors in its temporary site located downtown Nicolet with the " Symboles en quatre temps " exhibit that brought together four major religious traditions. In 1988, thanks to federal and provincial grants-in-aid, the construction of a new building was initiated. Support from the city of Nicolet and an important fund-raising promoted the museum`s onset. Being a history, ethnography and religious art museum, it offers temporary exhibits based on the popular and communital significance that is the religious experience.

Legal accreditation & official opening

In 1989, the Ministery of Culture gave the museum its legal accreditation as an exposition centre. The official opening of the Museum in its present location was celebrated in August of 1991. Since then, over 140 exhibits have been presented.In November 2001, the Ministery of Communication and Culture provided the Museum with an accreditaion as a collection museum due to its management of important patrimonial collections.

Finally, it promotes the religious diversity by exposing objects that attest the spiritual dimension of man.