The parish of Saint-François-Xavier in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François
The parish of Saint-François-Xavier in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François is one of the oldest in the region. Populated since 1676, it is the homeland of Claude Bouchard, the first inhabitant of Charlevoix. Hemmed in between towering mountains and the St. Lawrence River, the village of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François extends along a narrow strip of less than ten kilometres. Primarily a maritime environment, isolated for a long time, there is a population proud of its heritage, traditionally linked to the sea through eel fishing. The great beauty of the site also served as an inspiration to renowned author Gabrielle Roy, who lived there for more than thirty summers. The parish had to erect two churches since its origins. The one currently standing dates from 1905 and faces the Fortin mountain.
The current church dates from 1905 and faces the Fortin mountain. It has a capacity of 500 people. The symbolism of the sea is very present in the church of this riverside parish. The dominant colors are the blue of the sea and white for the foam of the water. The maritime vocation of the place is evoked by the presence of a boat, in the choir, on the left. The height and the shape of the vault give the whole an atmosphere of elevation. The Way of the Cross is represented by a series of old paintings.
