Sainte-Thècle, Quebec

For homonymy, see Thecle.
Sainte-Thècle
Municipality
Motto: Scatter goodness along your path

Location within Mékinac RCM.
Sainte-Thècle

Location in central Quebec.

Coordinates: 46°49′N 72°30′W / 46.817°N 72.500°W / 46.817; -72.500Coordinates: 46°49′N 72°30′W / 46.817°N 72.500°W / 46.817; -72.500[1]
Country  Canada
Province  Quebec
Region Mauricie
RCM Mékinac
Watershed Batiscan River
Constituted June 7, 1989
Government[2]
 • Mayor Alain Vallée
 • Federal riding Saint-Maurice—Champlain
 • Prov. riding Laviolette
Area[2][3]
 • Municipality 221.60 km2 (85.56 sq mi)
 • Land 213.46 km2 (82.42 sq mi)
 • Urban 2.25 km2 (0.87 sq mi)
Population (2011)[3]
 • Municipality 2,478
 • Density 11.6/km2 (30/sq mi)
 • Urban 1,296
 • Urban density 580/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
 • Pop 2006-2011 Decrease 0.3%
 • Dwellings 1,413
Time zone EST (UTC−5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC−4)
Postal code(s) G0X 3G0
Area code(s) 418 and 581
Highways Route 153
Route 352
Website www.ste-thecle.qc.ca

Sainte-Thècle is a Canadian municipality located in the province of Quebec in the Mékinac Regional County Municipality, in the watershed Batiscanie and in the administrative region of Mauricie. This municipality of 216 square km is particularly known for its resorts around the 55 lakes that dot the area. The forest and mountain scenery offer exceptional views for tourists and vacationers. Sainte-Thècle is also a paradise for hunting, fishing, snowmobile/all-terrain vehicles and other outdoor sports. The church, rectory and cemetery, located on the dominant hill of the village is a heritage of great interest. The agricultural and forestry industries have marked its history.

Geography

Sainte-Thècle is located at the junction of provincial roads 153 and 352. Road 153, running north-south links Yamachiche to Lac-aux-Sables, via Saint-Tite. On his way to Sainte-Thècle, route 153 covers the path of the great rang St-Georges, Notre-Dame street, St-Jacques street and road St-Pierre-North. While the route 352 from Trois-Rivières, pass through Saint-Stanislas and Saint-Adelphe and then arrives at Sainte-Thècle, on the path of road Rompré, then road St-Thomas, ending at the intersection of road 153 in the village of Sainte-Thècle.

The municipality of Sainte-Thècle is enclosed by Saint-Tite (south), Grandes-Piles (south-west), Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac (south-west), Trois-Rives (north) Lac-aux-Sables (north) and Saint-Adelphe (southeast). Almost all the territory of Sainte-Thècle is part of the watershed of Batiscan River, except an area at the north-east (the limit of Trois-Rives) and another small area near the Missionary Lake at northeast.

In Middle Mauricie, the highest Laurentian Mountains are located in the northwestern part of the municipality of Sainte-Thècle. A dozen peaks are over 400 meters, the high mountains are mostly encircled by: lakes Eric (Grandes-Piles), lake Vlimeux, lake Button, Lake Thom, Missionary Lake-North, the Lake Jesuit, "lake de l'Aqueduc" and the area at the northwest of Saint-Joseph-South row.

Archange Lake is on the border of Grandes-Piles and Sainte-Thècle.

Hydrography

The territory of Sainte-Thècle is characterized by four river sub-basins of the Batiscanie and one of the Saint-Maurice River:

• the Mekinac River which course part start at the mouth of Mékinac Lake to flow into the Saint-Maurice River in Middle-Mauricie. The northern part of Lejeune Township flows to the Mekinac River, including Lake Button and Lake Lejeune. The latter joined the Thom stream via Lake Bouchard, Lake George and Lake Thom. The Thom stream flows into the Mékinac River in the village of Saint-Joseph-de-Mékinac.

• the Little Mékinac North River whose northern section has a length of 19 km. This river has its source in Sainte-Thècle at 3rd Lake Champlain (altitude: 302 m). The waters flow southward subsequently in the second lake (altitude: 272 m), then the first Lake Champlain (altitude: 260 m). The course of the river continues southbound, crossing lakes Cobb-Dorval (2.4 km from the mouth of the next lake) and Pelard (2.8 km from the mouth of the small lake Dorval) (altitude: 229 m). The limit of Sainte-Thècle and Grandes-Piles, Quebec is just south of Lake Pelard and the water down to the lake "à Pierre" (altitude: 228 m) and the small lake Dorval (located 3 km from Lake Roberge (Grandes-Piles). At the south of Lake Cobb-Dorval, the river collects another discharge from the west who pours the waters of lakes Embryo, "au canard" and Button. At the center of the lake Nicolas (altitude: 227 m), the river receives on the East side, the outlet of Lake Fontaine (Mékinac) (altitude: 287 m). Finally, the river flows into a small lake located in the northwest end of Lake Roberge (Grandes-Piles) (altitude: 176 m). This small lake also receives the waters of the second Lake Roberge which discharge flows south-east. The discharge of this small lake o is only hundred meters and empties into the North-West end of Lake Roberge (Grandes-Piles);

• Rivière des Envies which crosses the rang St-Joseph (southbound), taking it source at Lake Traverse; then the river runs through the territory of Saint-Tite (via the "Rang des Pointes"), Saint-Séverin and empties into the Batiscan river in Saint-Stanislas;

• Pierre-Paul River takes it source at Lac Pierre-Paul (Mékinac), located in the eastern part of the territory of Saint-Tite. The main course of the river runs first north draining part of the Rang St-Georges (South) in Sainte-Thècle, then branches off to the right about 160 degrees to head south following in parallel route 352 (between Sainte-Thècle and Saint-Adelphe) in row St-Thomas (South). It curse cut the rang St-Émile (in Saint-Adelphe), and empties into the Batiscan River (on the right bank), up to the village of Saint-Adelphe. While the "Bras de la rivière Pierre-Paul" (Arm of Pierre-Paul River) drains much of the row St-Thomas (in the north-south direction) in perpendicularly intersecting lots, crosses the road 352, then veers to the south and cross the road St-Émile to discharge into the Pierre-Paul River (about 0.5 km from the mouth of the latter, which flows into the Batiscan River) [4]

• Tawachiche River is flowing north-south on 25 km entirely within the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables. The river crosses the Zec Tawachiche to move to the northern boundary of the village Hervey-Jonction where there are beautiful waterfalls. Then the river runs along the southwestern boundary of the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables and Sainte-Thècle. Tawachiche River throws herself into the Batiscan River, in Lac-aux-Sables, at the boundary of Sainte-Thècle, in an area designated the "Pee-Wee". It main tributary is the Tawachiche West River.

In Indian history, these three rivers are deemed to have served as a way of transport to reach upstream lakes with canoes (depending the water level) or walking on ice in winter. Many beaver dams slowed the water flow. These rivers were also used to transport wood and some saw mills were established along the way.

• Batiscan River flowing southward on 177 km, has it source in Lake Édouard (Quebec) in Haute-Mauricie. It flows through the Portneuf Wildlife Reserve through Rivière-à-Pierre (River of stones), Notre-Dame-de-Montauban, Lac-aux-Sables, Sainte-Thècle (limit), Saint-Adelphe, Saint-Stanislas, Saint-Narcisse, Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan and Batiscan.

Demographics

Population trend:[5]

Year Population Variation (%) Median age
2011 2,478 Decrease-0,3 % 53,4 years
2006 2,486 Decrease-1,1 %
2001 2,513 Decrease-6,9 %
1996 2,698 Decrease-2,5 %
1991 2,766 Decrease-4,2 %
1986 2,887 -

Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 1157 (total dwellings: 1413)

Mother language of Sainte-Thècle's citizens:

Main attractions

In addition, visitors can benefit from the snowmobile or ATV, hunting and fishing, camping and resort trails. There are also many lakes in Sainte-Thècle for boating.

Municipal chronology

School chronology

Religious chronology

Slogan

"Scatter goodness along your path".

Coat of arms of Sainte-Thècle

Since the mid-20th century, the town of Sainte-Thècle uses this blazon trifecta that comes from the College of Arms of Canada. Its original interpretation was tinged with the spirit of Christianity. This blazon was published on April 14, 1958, in the regional newspaper "Le Nouvelliste" (published in Trois-Rivières, QC). On January 17, 1973, René Veillette summarized the original interpretation in a column on the history of Sainte-Thècle, in the journal "Le Dynamique" (published in Saint-Tite, QC). This interpretation has been actualized by the historian Gaétan Veillette in 2012.

The golden triangle in the upper part of the shield symbolizes the saints and heroes of the history, whose example inspired morality and customs. Widely used in heraldic domain, the golden color means brightness, righteousness, faith, strength and constancy. At the center of the first trifecta, the heart means kindness and dedication, recalling the life and accomplishment of Thècle, parish patron. Crown affixed over the heart evokes her sanctification.

The second trifecta, colored in blue azure, symbolizes purity. The fir tree represents the timber industry that dominated the local economy with agriculture throughout history. This fir tree is planted on a hill, which indicates the highest point of the village, the site of the church.

In the third trifecta, at the right of the shield, bees embody the workforce and bravery. Recognized as being laborious, bees inspire respect. In harmony with nature, their role is crucial in the eco-system. The red background shows solidarity and perseverance of this population throughout the difficulties of life and collective issues.

The twig of maple branches in the background characterizes the beauty and symbolic value of this common tree in Sainte-Thècle. They evoke that many maple groves produced the legendary maple syrup. Maple leaf is also the emblem of the country.

The bottom banner features the official motto of Sainte-Thècle: "Scatter goodness along your path". This motto reflects an attitude to be adopted by each citizen in every action of his life. Finally, the red ribbon that binds the two branches of maple leaves is a sign of unity.

Toponymy

The name of the municipality results from Saint Thècle, martyred virgin of the 1st century, converted to the Christianism and educated by Saint Paul during its first journey missionary. Thècle was born in Isaurie in Turkey. Tite and Thècle having lived at the same time, the name of this virgin was retained for the canonical foundation of this parish of the Mid Mauricie as of March 15, 1873 decree promulgated by Mgr. Louis-François Richer Laflèche, bishop of the diocese of Trois-Rivières. Moreover, Moïse Proulx, priest of Saint-Tite served the parish of Sainte-Thècle until 1880, or until the arrival of the first resident priest.

The toponymy of the rows ("rangs" in French) of the parish embodies the run-up of Christendom of the 19th century: Saint-Joseph, Saint-Michel, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Georges, and Saint Thomas which is the last one to be merged to the municipality of Sainte-Thècle in 1891.

The main arteries of the village are the old Notre-Dame, Saint-Jacques, Masson, Grenier, Lacordaire, Tessier, Station, and Du Pont. The latter street derives its name from the floating bridge on Lake Croche, which connected the lower village to road St-Michel (north). With the expansion of the village, the names of new streets was a common surname: Bédard street, Veillette, Valley, Piché, Proteau Square, Cloutier Square, Marcotte road, Marchand road ... Centennial Street (rue du Centenaire) was erected during Celebration of the Sainte-Thècle Centennial in 1973-74, in parallel to the Villeneuve street. Several roads were designated according to their geographical context: Chemin de l'Anse (Cove Road), Lake Jesuit, Lake Traverse, Lake Aylwin, Lejeune Township, Lake Button... Finally, "Joseph St-Amant" road in Lejeune Township makes tribute to this businessman of Saint-Tite, who has greatly contributed to the forest industry. He owned a sawmill located on "Ruisseau Le Bourdais" street in the town of Saint-Tite.

At the end of the nineteenth century, the village of Sainte-Thècle was divided in two zones: the lower village (the oldest, located between the lake Croche and the lake-aux-Chicots) and the village of the station (which was formed with the economical impact of station of the railroad, arrived in Sainte-Thècle in 1887). Finally the erection of the church, from 1903 to 1905, engendered the construction of streets Saint-Jacques and Masson, creating a third village.

Main personalities linked to the locality

Publishing about the history of Sainte-Thècle

1. "Répertoire des baptêmes de Sainte-Thècle (1869-2012)" (Directory of the baptisms of Sainte-Thècle), including 182 acts written in the registry of Saint-Tite (neighbor parish) from 1869 to 1880. Edited in French by "Fabrique de Sainte-Thècle". This book of 354 pages contains 11 135 baptisms.

2. "Répertoire des mariages de Sainte-Thècle - 1880 à 2004" (Directory of the marriages of Sainte-Thècle - From 1880 to 2004), published in French in 2005 by the "Fabrique de Sainte-Thècle", 52 pages. Authors: Yolande Saint-Amand, André B Veillette. Associates: Andréanne, Daniel, Gaétan and Lorraine Veillette.

3. "Obituaire - Lac-aux-Chicots-Sainte-Thècle de 1870 à 1975 (Obituary Lac-aux-Chicots-Sainte-Thècle from 1870 to 1975)", edited in French by "Éditions du bien public", published in 1976. Authors: Geneviève Leblanc and Marie-Ange B. Plamondon. 152 pages. (Edition sold out).

4. Monograph of Sainte-Thècle Centenary entitled "Une ville du Nord, Saint-Thècle - Cent ans d'histoire" (A city of the North, Sainte-Thècle, Hundred years of history) - 1874-1974", Edited by "Éditions du bien public", 229 pages, published in French in March, 1974 during the festivities of the Centenary of Sainte-Thècle. Text: Dr Jean-René Marchand . Documentation: Charles Magnan. Associates: Michelle Trépanier and Father Étienne Morin, o.p.

5. Book "Sainte-Thècle - Comté de Champlain" (Sainte-Thècle - County of Champlain), containing the censuses of 1886, 1891, 1895, on 1896 and 1897 of Sainte-Thècle. Published in French in Trois-Rivières (Three Rivers) in 1987. 320 pages. Compiled by Brigitte Hamel, S.C.O.

6. "Des semailles aux glanures : répertoire des objets anciens de Ste-Thècle" (Sowings to glanures: directory of the antiques of Ste-Thècle). Texts writer, Odette St-Amand; supervised by Armande Rompré-St-Amand. Published in French by the "Sociocultural Committee of Ste-Thècle" (Comité socio-culturel de Sainte-Thècle), 1984, Arquienne printing office.

7. Book "Sainte-Thècle - Le temps d'une vie mémorable ... pendant un quart de siècle - 1935 à 1960" (Time for a memorable life ... for a quarter of a century - from 1935 to 1960). Author: Fernand Cloutier. 295 pages. Published in French in August 2012 by the author.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Reference number 228389 of the Commission de toponymie du Québec (French)
  2. 1 2 Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire - Répertoire des municipalités: Sainte-Thècle
  3. 1 2 "(Code 2435050) Census Profile". 2011 census. Statistics Canada. 2012.
  4. ↑ Research conducted by Gaétan Veillette, from website Google Map
  5. ↑ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
  6. ↑ Chronicles on the history of Sainte-Thècle, appeared in French from 1973 till 1982 in the weekly newspaper "Dynamique" (published in Saint-Tite), written by René Veillette and Gaétan Veillette.
  7. ↑ Historical researches about the School Boards of Sainte-Thècle, by Gaétan Veillette
  8. ↑ "Répertoire des baptêmes de Sainte-Thècle - 1869-2012" (Directory of baptisms of Sainte-Thècle - 1869-2012", 2012, 354 pages, p. 50, published by "Fabrique de Sainte-Thècle" (Factory of Sainte-Thècle)


Adjacent Municipal Subdivisions
Trois-Rives
Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac Lac-aux-Sables
   Sainte-Thècle  
Grandes-Piles Saint-Tite Saint-Adelphe


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