Soulanges - Saint Joseph

Located west of Montreal (off the island) we took a about an hours drive to search for the home parishes of the Fournier - Legros families.

The first chapel in Les Cèdres was built in 1728; it served until it was replaced with the first church building in 1781. In 1786, Colonel de Longueuil gave the parish the land on which the church was already situated. Unfortunately, the parish faced repeated financial difficulties, and at one time, actually gave serious consideration to selling the land, until it became clear that any money realized from the sale would be required to be given to the Colonel's heirs, leaving the parish with nothing. That plan came to naught, and the present stone church, started in 1879, was opened in 1881. It is believed that the stained glass windows came second-hand, perhaps from a Protestant church; the bell tower was fitted with three bells purchased in London, England. A powerful storm on January 14, 1950 threw down the spire and sent it crashing through the roof of the church; it was subsequently rebuilt in a somewhat shorter version.

source: infopuq.uquebec.ca/~uss1010/orgues/quebec/cedres.html#English