Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Parish / Memramcook
Established in 1814
First church: 1898
First priest : 1960
Lourdes is a lovely village formerly known as ‘Village-du-Bois’ and ‘Bonhomme’ which overlooks the entire Memramcook valley.
In 1814, Acadians from the Memramcook valley and Petitcodiac settled in the highlands to establish ‘Village-du-Bois’ by clearing the land for farming and also working in forestry.
The parish was served as a mission by priests from Saint Thomas parish in Memramcook or priests from Saint Joseph College.
A wooden church was built in 1898. During this period, priests from Memramcook would come to hear confessions and celebrate mass every second Sunday. However, all weddings and funerals were celebrated at the mother parish.
Beginning in 1945, stewards from Saint Joseph College served regularly at the mission in Lourdes.
It was only in 1960 that Lourdes became a parish with the arrival of its founding priest and first diocesan priest to serve the parish, Fr. Roland Bouchard. He built a rectory next to the church.
In 1979, parishioners renovated the church but kept its original style. This wooden church is an architectural gem.