The first settlers arrived around 1780, mostly from Saint-Henri and Saint-Gervais. As early as 1825, they asked for their own parish because their church was far away. Bishop Panet created it in 1827 under the patronage of Saint Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, and it gained civil status in 1835.
The town at a glance
RCMBellechasse
South Shoresoutheast of Lévis
Life in Saint-Anselme
The vibe
A growing village, both agricultural and industrial, with a long co-operative tradition and river scenery along the Etchemin.
The housing
Mostly single-family homes, with semi-detached houses and apartment buildings in the newer residential areas.
Nearby
Saint-Anselme church · Arena · Bibliothèque Laurent-Caron
Good to know
The municipality posts a list of apartments for rent on its website, updated as landlords call in. The village has elementary and high schools, a medical clinic, a pharmacy and a grocery store.
Landmarks
- Rivière Etchemin
- Chutes Rouillard
- Cycloroute de Bellechasse
History
The history of Saint-Anselme
- 1827Parish canonically established
- 1850Church completed
- 1875Two railway lines cross here
- 1998Village and parish merge
- 2012Rail line becomes the Cycloroute
The combined chapel and presbytery, built to plans by Thomas Baillairgé, was blessed in 1830. François Audet dit Lapointe then built the current church, started in 1846 and finished in 1850. Around the same time, Siméon Larochelle opened his mills, forge and foundry.
The parish municipality was founded in 1845, and the post office has been called Saint-Anselme since 1848. The Quebec Central and Canadian National railways crossed here from 1875. In 1920, the village split from the parish to form its own municipality.
From 1940 on, co-operatives multiplied: agricultural in 1941, a bakery in 1943, a feed mill in 1949 and a garage in 1955. The village and the parish merged in 1998. In 2005, Saint-Anselme celebrated its 175th anniversary, and in 2012 the old railway line became a bike path.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Anselme
Where is Saint-Anselme?
In the Bellechasse RCM, in Chaudière-Appalaches, about 25 km from Lévis. The Rivière Etchemin runs through the municipality, and Route 277 connects it to Saint-Henri.
Where does the name Saint-Anselme come from?
In 1827, Bishop Panet of Québec placed the new parish under the patronage of Saint Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, a saint he held in special regard.
What is there to see in Saint-Anselme?
The Chutes Rouillard on the Rivière Etchemin, the church built between 1846 and 1850, the presbytery with eighteen dormers and the Cycloroute de Bellechasse, laid out on the old railway line.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Anselme?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Anselme will soon be listed on the site, along with the online rental application. In the meantime, Cléo can notify you as soon as a unit is posted.
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