Built in 1957, the church in front of you was deconsecrated in 2018 and sold to the City of Rouyn-Noranda, which converted it into its neighborhood offices and the village library. The plans were drawn by architect Maurice Girard, who was active in Rouyn-Noranda between 1950 and 1960.
You will notice, by comparing the historical photo with the building in front of you, that very little has changed. Although the windows have been replaced in recent years, care was taken to preserve their original shape and the cross pattern they feature. Note that the school disappeared from the landscape in 2008 following a fire.
Located along the Porcupine-Destor geological fault, a few mines were in operation in the Destor area and contributed to the village's development. Interestingly and quite rarely, Route 101 crosses the district's territory but not its village, which is set back, just like the districts of Cléricy and Mont-Brun. Notice this during your walk!
Photo source: BAnQ
Residents of Destor on the steps of the first church, during a religious ceremony.
The first Destor women's circle, proudly posing in front of the church.
Émile-Boutin Road is named after the first colonizing priest of the village, who served in Destor from 1936 to 1946. Born in Saint-Isidore-de-Dorchester in 1902, he was ordained in 1928 and passed away in 1984.
Check the highlights section on the interpretation panels to learn more about this well-regarded figure in the community.
This painting depicts the early days of the Destor community, featuring the trapper and the lady in her garden, behind which a load of hay can be seen. The presence of a mining building also refers to a more recent era that contributed to the village's economy. Finally, the present time is evoked by the old church transformed into a community center and Aiguebelle Park, with the suspension bridge over Lake La Haie.
Artist: Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau
Year: 2016
Materials: acrylic on UHD panel
Born in Jamésie, Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau is a multidisciplinary Cree artist of international renown. Visual arts, novels, poetry, storytelling—her work is read in both French and English.
Photo credit: Christian Leduc
1935: settlement of the first colonists
1940: opening of the Coton mine
1943: opening of the Destor and Thurbois mines
1950: electrification
1957: merger of Reneault and Destor, followed by the construction of a new church
1980: municipalization of Destor and Reneault, forming a municipal corporation
1985: construction of the aqueduct and request for rezoning of Reneault
1988: construction of the municipal garage
1992: adoption of an urban plan
2002: merger with other municipalities in the MRC