In 1669, missionary priest
Pierre-Joseph-Marie Chaumonot erected a chapel for the
Huron, dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Foy. The name means Our Lady of Faith. Sainte-Foy developed around the chapel, first as a small settlement of Christian Indians, added to by traders and merchants. The
Battle of Sainte-Foy on April 28, 1760, sometimes called the Battle of Quebec, was a victory for the French in the
Seven Years' War (known in the United States as the
French and Indian War for the North American front). Their forces were commanded by
Chevalier de Lévis and defeated the British army under
James Murray. This battle proved to be much bloodier than the battle of the
Plains of Abraham the previous September, with higher total casualties on both sides—833 French casualties and 1,124 British. Despite this the French were
unable to take Quebec and it was to be the last French victory in the Seven Years' War, which the British ultimately won. France ceded its territories in North America east of the Mississippi River to the British. Sainte-Foy's long-time flamboyant mayor,
Andrée Boucher, was defeated when she ran for mayor of the amalgamated
Quebec City. She became a radio host. In 2005, she ran again for mayor after
Jean-Paul L'Allier retired. This time she won, without hiring an election team or paying for media advertisements, and with making very few public appearances or debates. She has since died since her last political position. As a city, Sainte-Foy hosted international events such as the
1983 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup and the 1995
World Aquatics U20 Water Polo Championships.
Amalgamation with Quebec City On January 1, 2002, Sainte-Foy was merged, along with many other suburbs, with
Quebec City. A
referendum was held June 20, 2004, with 52.19% of voters in favour of a demerger. However, the provincial government only proceeded with demerger in those places where over 35% of electors voted (which was not the case in Sainte-Foy.) == Districts ==