French Settlers: Religion

Jesuit mission at Kaskaskia

• The Roman Catholic Church was a dominant spiritual and social force. Jesuit priests served Kaskaskia. Priests of the Seminary of Foreign Missions served Cahokia. Disputes often arose over religious jurisdictions.
• Priests rarely received their expected salaries from the government. Jesuits prospered from grants of farm land, slaves, and tithes from parishioners. Jesuits lived communally in a house, 120 feet long, and owned a mill and 68 slaves who were trained as farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, brewers, and masons.
• Jesuits offered daily instruction for children with primarily religious lessons. As many as 75% of the settlers could not read or write.
• Colonists celebrated 27 holidays. Births, deaths, and marriages also required special religious services and traditions. Most people were named after saints and celebrated anniversaries on their saints' days rather than birthdays.

How do they compare? Native Americans | French Settlers | African Slaves

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96