HISTORY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
2013-06-04

On Rue Saint-Hubert, close to the motherhouse, the house numbered 303 has a history that greatly impacted on the education of young people in Rimouski. The General Council in the 1930s saw the need of opening places outside the motherhouse to respond to the needs of the mission.

Bought in 1934, this property became a "school house" in 1935 and was called Saint Joseph's School, under the Rimouski School Board. Two classes were organized. The top floor welcomed 28 students of grades 5, 6 and 7 entrusted to Sister Marie-des-Séraphins (Albina Bérubé). On the first floor, Sister Marie-de-la-Protection (Maria Morin) was in charge of 40 students of grades 2, 3 and 4. Novices and postulants practiced teaching in this school to learn how to teach under the direction of sisters mandated for this service.

Seven years of school life with singing, lessons, homework and games made it a place where both students and teachers would spend happy days together. We liked the "red house" as it was called. During the summer months, the classes were transformed into "dorms" for the sisters who returned from the missions for a period of rest and renewal.

On May 15, 1941, at the request of Sister Marie-de-l'Immaculée-Conception, (Albine Bélanger) General Treasurer, the "Saint Joseph" school underwent some transformations and became the residence of one of our employees, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Lavoie and his family. In 1956, Mr. Marc-André d'Amours, another employee, settled there with his family.

In 1978, this house became a residence for some of our sisters who made their home in the little school. Beauty, simplicity and courtesy welcome the visitors. 

Gisèle Guilbault, R.S.R.