Yohann Harvey Simard
20 sept. 2023
After 66 years of marriage, Almatois Huguette Bouchard and Maurice Dufour had a unique experience. They returned to relive their wedding night in the suite of the Autel-Relais Saint-Crème located in the old church of Isle-Maligne where they were married in 1957.
“It was extraordinary!” says Huguette Bouchard, who never thought she would spend the night in church.
Memories raced through her mind as she entered the grounds of the place of worship she had frequented for so many years.
“I went there so often! I remember when I was younger and I would go skating next door with my friends!” says the woman who still skates today.
For those wondering how to make a marital union prosper for more than 60 years, Huguette Bouchard says that it is essential to "always resolve our problems in bed."
"If we had something that was bothering us, we would always tell each other in bed. We never went to bed without talking, and we always went to bed together!"
She also highlights the conservation work carried out as part of the renovation of the church.
“There are so many beautiful things left that they acquired from the church and reused in each room. It’s really a beautiful way to bring the church back to life!”
Visit of the first baptized
A few days after the couple's visit, it was the turn of the first person to be baptized in the church of Isle-Maligne to return.
Joseph Guy Coté was baptized in 1939, one year after the church was inaugurated. Although the man had lived in Laval for several years, he and his son immediately hit the road when they learned that the church had been converted into a dairy bar and then a hotel.
"Plus, my son was baptized there too! And by the same priest, by the way! We couldn't help but go there!"
Joseph Guy Côté suggests that the journey was worth it. His visit to the Autel-Relais Saint-Crème allowed him to reconnect with a whole part of his history, which translated into a good dose of nostalgia given that this church has always represented "an extraordinary place" in his eyes.
He also wishes to acknowledge the care with which the work related to the change of vocation of the temple was carried out. "I couldn't believe how well they did it while respecting the place of worship, its appearance, its stained glass windows!"
Versatile accommodation
The hotel section of the Saint-Crème recently opened. According to owner Vincent Lavoie, the strength of the ten-room establishment lies in the fact that it can appeal to a wide variety of clientele.
"We have young people who come for the original aspect of the hotel, older people because they are attached to religion, international tourists because it is unlike anything else in the area and cyclists because we are close to the bike path!" he rejoices.
According to the article from Lac Saint-Jean: https://lelacstjean.com/actualite/une-nuit-de-noces-66-ans-plus-tard-a-lautel-relais-saint-creme/