If you look at the façade of Sainte-Famille church from bottom to top, you’ll probably notice a difference in the color of the stone. It’s a permanent reminder of a catastrophe that left its mark on Boucherville.
On June 20, 1843, a huge fire ravaged a large part of what was then a village – sweeping away the church in its wake. All that remained were the walls and, thanks to the quick intervention of the parish priest and parishioners, the altars, religious objects and paintings (but sadly, not the organ or pulpit).
Louis-Thomas Berlinguet (see text on the church tower) was entrusted with the task of refurbishing the building. Hence the two-tone facade, with the upper section, once collapsed, added to the original wall. Saving religious heritage is a flame that never goes out…