Scenic Vermont Photography

In 1666, Fort Sainte Anne was built on Isle La Motte to protect Montreal from attacks by the Iroquois Indians. Both the fort and chapel were dedicated to Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. It was the site of the first Catholic Mass celebrated in Vermont. In 1668, the bishop of Quebec, François de Laval, came to Isle La Motte to baptize a number of Iroquois to Christianity. Even after the abandonment of the fort, the shrine continued to offer mass to worshipers. The Fort was destroyed sometime between 1670 and 1690; the Way of Calvary at the Shrine marks the place where the Fort once stood.

In 1892, Louis de Goesbriand, the Bishop of Burlington was able to purchase the land at Fort Saint Anne in order to preserve its history. A small chapel was built. Father Joseph Kerlidou was the first director of St. Anne’s Shrine. He excavated a portion of the site, uncovering knives, buttons, pottery, and other artifacts. They attest to not only French, but earlier Native American presence on the site. Some of the artifacts are on display at St. Anne’s.