The Saint-Michel Parish Complex

Restored in 2024, the Saint-Michel-Archange presbytery and the enlarged covered passageway now houses the bishop's residence and the offices of the Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda. 

Photo credit : Élisabeth Carrier

In the late 1920s, Rouyn was a young municipality with its sights set firmly on the future. Less than two years after the arrival of its first parish priest, Monsignor Albert Pelletier, the community had already begun construction on a large permanent parish complex, a sign of remarkable confidence in its development.

In 1927, work progressed at an impressive pace: the presbytery, the foundation, and then the upper church were erected in just a few months. The presbytery became the largest residence in the entire area and one of the first sustainable buildings in the city.

Photo credit: BAnQ

Priest Albert Pelletier (left) is one of the legendary figures associated with the early days of Rouyn-Noranda. A colorful character, he was known as much for his storytelling skills as for his resourcefulness. Under his leadership, in addition to the first church, the young community's first school was built.

In a new land, it is not easy to gather the faithful in one place to celebrate Mass. So the young priest's first Masses were celebrated directly in the lumberjack camps or in a dance hall or theater. 

It really took someone like him, who was not afraid of anything, to clear the land and build a whole new region! 

Photo credit: BAnQ

Originally covered with diamond-shaped asbestos cement tiles, the bishopric decided during the restoration to reproduce certain details that were present at the time of construction. Note the cross that now stands out on the facade of the presbytery, it was made using contrasting diamonds, now made of aluminum.

Photo credit: BAnQ

On April 12, 1973, a fire completely engulfed the first high church built on the territory of Rouyn-Noranda. Only the foundation remained, on which the new church was built in 1976, it’s now the diocesan training center. 

Ironically, the church's original coating had been chosen for its fire-resistant properties, as forest fires were a constant threat in the early days of the city. Though, the fire came from within...

Photo credit: BAnQ

The Saint-Michel-Archange parish complex is distinguished by its architectural value. Designed in 1927 by parish priest Albert Pelletier and architect Albert S. Macduff, two great builders of Rouyn-Noranda, the original presbytery and upper church have left their mark on the landscape. The quality of the presbytery's construction has allowed it to stand the test of time while retaining its classic vernacular style, inspired by Quebec traditions.

After the fire of 1973, the church, now a cathedral, was rebuilt with simple architecture, enhanced by a 'post-modern' bell tower erected in 1979. The tower evokes the famous mining headframes, a powerful symbol of regional identity.

The complex also has great historical value, with its buildings reflecting several key moments in the history of Rouyn-Noranda and its development.

Photo credit: BAnQ

- 1927 Construction of the presbytery and church 

- 1938 Construction of the bell tower 

- 1950 Interior renovation 

- 1964 Exterior renovation of the church 

- 1965: Expansion of the rectory 

- 1969 Fire inside the church and renovation of its interior 

- 1973 Destruction of the upper church by fire 

- 1976 Reconstruction of the upper church and inauguration of the cathedral church 

- 1979 Construction of the bell tower 

- 2003 Desacralization of Saint Michael the Archangel Church

- 2024-2025 Renovation and restoration to house the bishop's offices and residence of the Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda

- The presence of a former cathedral church, a presbytery, a covered passageway converted into an office space, and a monument to the Sacred Heart

- Landscaping featuring trees, shrubs, and a monument to the Sacred Heart.

- The location of the complex is located on an uneven terrain in the heart of the city. 

- The characteristics of the former church-cathedral, with its rectangular plan, flat chevet and flat roof, profiled sheet metal and brick cladding, freestanding bell tower with exposed steel structure, illuminated crosses on the bell tower, and metal crosses on the entrance wall

- The characteristics of the presbytery, including its T-shaped plan, two-story elevation, gabled roof with truncated gables, entrance portico, architectural and ornamental elements in galvanized steel, rectangular windows (some double and triple) and their frames, and the gable-pediment of the main facade.