The Recollects were the first Catholic missionaries to accompany Samuel de Champlain to Québec City in 1615. The Jesuits arrived a decade later. Both religious groups were expelled in 1629 by the British. Despite this setback, an apostolic vicariate was formed in the fledgling territory in 1658. Fifteen years later, it was declared as the diocese of New France by Pope Clement X. This event was historically significant as the first Roman Catholic diocese in the New World north of Mexico. Today, the area served by the Archdiocese of Québec is Québec City. Given the French origin of the province of Quebec, it is not surprising to learn 75% of Quebecers identify with the Catholic religion.
