Fairfield in Victoria in Capital, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Modeste Demers

1809-1871

Photographed By Andrew Lester, July 24, 2013

1. Modeste Demers Marker

Inscription. Born near Levis, Demers was trained at the Seminary of Quebec, ordained in 1836 and sent in 1838 as a missionary to the Columbia. His ministry extended from the interior of British Columbia to Oregon. First pastor of St. John's Church of Oregon City, he was appointed in 1846 first Bishop of Vancouver Island with responsibility for New Caledonia and the Queen Charlotte Islands. In the following decades Bishop Demers oversaw the transition of his diocese from the fur trade era to that of a settled colony. By the time of his death in Victoria, the territory in which he had laboured was Canada's sixth province.

Né près de Lévis (Québec) Modeste Demers fréquenta le séminaire de Québec où il fut ordonné prêtre en 1836. Premier missionnaire de la Colombie en 1838, il étendit son apostolat depuis la Colombie jusqu'en Orégon. Premier cure de Saint-Jean (Oregon City), il fut nommé en 1846 évêque du nouveau diocèse de l'île de Vancouver qui incluait alors la Nouvelle Calédonie et les îles de la Reine-Charlotte. Mgr Demers fut témoin de la transformation du territoire de son diocèse en une colonie établie. A sa mort, le pays où il avait oeuvré pendant trente ans était devenu la sixième province canadianne.

Erected 1977 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 48° 25.15′ N, 123° 21.8′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. It is in Fairfield. Marker can be reached from Academy Close. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 835 Humboldt St, Victoria BC V8V 4W8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Ann's Academy (a few steps from this marker); The Church of Our Lord (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sir James Douglas (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The Children’s Graves (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Cecilia Helmcken (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St. Ann’s Schoolhouse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Log Cabin to Victorian Parlour (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Doctor John Sebastian Helmcken (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

Photographed By Andrew Lester, July 24, 2013

2. Modeste Demers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2013, by Andrew Lester of Victoria, BC, Canada. This page has been viewed 507 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2013, by Andrew Lester of Victoria, BC, Canada. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.