Last April, I received – as did all the former Sisters of the convent - an invitation from Mr. Georges Locas, Mayor of the Municipality of Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, to attend the “Official Inauguration of the Old Convent”.
On Sunday, May 6, 2012, at 11:30 a.m., we were welcomed by the elected officials and dignitaries. What an extraordinary occasion it was to see this place, so dear to the people, come back to life on this 225th anniversary of the Municipality (1787-2012). Let us look back at a little bit of history.
In 1857, the SNJM’s arrived in Saint-Roch as teachers. They lived in the current building which was built in 1881 until they left in 1969. In 1970, the convent became a residence for the elderly and remained as such until early 2000. For a few years, it served as a detoxification center.
In 2003, the convent was classified as a historic building and the Municipality acquired it on July 8, 2009. Since November 21, 2011, after being renovated, it has housed the municipal offices.