Saint-Agnès Parish
The first chapel was built in 1917 thanks to a $5,000 donation from Donnacona Paper, on land donated free of charge by Mrs. Joséphine Piché, wife of Mr. Noël Pleau, who had died a few months earlier. Midnight mass was celebrated there on December 25, 1917, even though the construction was not completed. The chapel was blessed on June 16, 1918. A few years later, the chapel became too cramped. This is why in 1922 the architect Georges-Émile Tanguay is entrusted with the enlargement of the sacristy. The first mass took place in December 1924.
In November 1945, the parish hall was completely destroyed by fire. The Fabrique then evaluated the possibility of building a new church including a parish hall, but the financial situation at the time did not allow for this investment. In 1946, the Fabrique hired architect Héliodore Laberge to draw up plans for a new building to house a parish hall, but this project did not go ahead.
It was not until 1955 that the plans, presented by the architect Mr. Sylvio Brassard, were accepted by the churchwardens of the time. The new church will be built on the site of the old parish hall. On May 19, 1957, the church as we know it today was blessed. The old church was then completely deconstructed.
Construction costs amounted to approximately $309,000. The church can seat 960 people. Its bell tower rises about 165 feet and is composed of three bells, the first of which bears the name of Jesus Christ the King, tuned in "E" and weighing 2660 pounds, the second Jesus-Marie-Joseph, "F sharp", 1790 pounds, and the third Agnes, "G sharp", 1250 pounds. At the top of the bell tower is a 12-foot high cross made by Mr. Wilfrid Fiset of Donnacona, who apparently drew it with chalk on the floor of his workshop before making it, and it was installed by another citizen of the town, Mr. Charles Pagé.
The church contains some of the most interesting works of art and furniture. The Casavant organ from 1925 and the high altar from the previous church are of particular interest. We also find a painting by Geo.-Henry Duquet representing Sainte-Agnès and paintings representing the Holy Family and the Virgin painted in 1957.
