In Quebec, the closure of churches has been significant in recent years. Thus, since 2011, the province has had approximately forty closures per year. Our region is obviously not immune to this phenomenon.
As part of this entire movement, the Parish of La-Transfiguration-du-Seigneur, which includes the communities of Saint-Augustin, Sainte-Catherine and Cap-Rouge, adopted its first Real estate master plan in order to prioritize investments on its various properties for the period 2024-2028, and ensure the maintenance of its three places of worship.
The Parish is considering selling the Saint-Augustin presbytery. However, a call is first being made to find a tenant organization for part or all of the building. Photo: Courtesy of the Parish of La-Transfiguration-du-Seigneur.
Sale of chapels, presbyteries and land
The action plan provides in the short term for the sale of the Saint-Louis chapel located in Lac-Saint-Joseph and the Notre-Dame-de-Liesse chapel in Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, the sale of land unoccupied in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures as well as the sale of the presbytery of Sainte-Catherine.
In addition, it is the intention of this parish to divest itself of its administrative center in Cap-Rouge and the presbytery of Saint-Augustin. Concerning the presbytery, a call for projects is however launched in order to find a tenant organization for the second floor, or for the entire building, and if the experience is conclusive, the parish could review its decision to sell it.
It will be possible to visit the magnificent church of Saint-Augustin, from June 21 to August 11. Photo: Offered by the Parish of La-Transfiguration-du-Seigneur.
Closure of the Fossambault chapel
The Notre-Dame-de-Liesse chapel in Fossambault-sur-le-Lac will permanently close its doors to worship as of next Sunday, June 30, when the last mass in its history will be celebrated.
Built in 1950, the chapel served parishioners and vacationers in the area for almost 75 years. Since the pandemic, it was no longer used and the lack of volunteers as well as the desire to concentrate activities in the parish churches meant that the priest and the Parish Factory asked the archbishop to close the place of worship. The last celebration will take place at 11 a.m. on Sunday June 30 and will be presided over by the parish priest, Father Pierre Gingras. After the mass, the closing ritual will be performed and the altar stone removed.
The presbytery of Sainte-Catherine is also put up for sale by the parish. Photo: Offered by the Parish of La-Transfiguration-du-Lord.
Guided tours of the Church of Saint-Augustin
Like the heritage churches of Chemin du Roy (Neuville, Cap-Santé, Deschambault and Grondines), the church of Saint-Augustin will open its doors to visitors, from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Friday, June 21 until Sunday, August 11.
The parish has hired a tourist guide who will introduce visitors to the rich history of the church and the many sculptures and paintings found there. One of the treasures that visitors can admire is Christ on the cross installed in the organ loft. Dating from 1747, it would be one of the oldest in Quebec.
Built in 1816, the Saint-Augustin church underwent some modifications in the 1930s, but it has retained its exceptional interior decor. Outside, the cemetery adjacent to the church with its low wall topped by a cast iron fence as well as the imposing presbytery dating from 1887 also attract attention.
PS To find out more about the rental possibilities of the Saint-Augustin presbytery, you can contact the general director, Mr. Patrick Bouillé, by telephone at 418 653-5643.
