Around 1830, settlers moved onto the 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th concessions of the Livaudière seigneury, then part of Saint-Gervais. Living too far from the church, they met at notary Roy’s home on April 24, 1831, and asked for a new parish.
The town at a glance
RCMBellechasse
South Shorein the centre of the Bellechasse RCM
Life in Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse
The vibe
A quiet village that hosts the RCM administration and about forty businesses. In August, the Festival de la Galette de sarrasin brings residents together.
The housing
Mostly single-family homes. The Chabot residential development, near the elementary school, is welcoming new single-family and multi-family homes.
Nearby
Biblio-Culture library · Salle des Bâtisseurs · Lac Vert
Good to know
Saint-Lazare is about 30 minutes from Lévis via Route 279. The Bellechasse RCM runs on-demand shared transportation to Lévis, Montmagny and Sainte-Marie.
Landmarks
- Saint-Lazare church
- Route 279
- Lac Chabot
History
The history of Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse
- 1831Request for a new parish
- 1832Parish recognized
- 1849First parish priest arrives
- 1882Current church built
- 1994Current name adopted
Bishop Bernard-Claude Panet recognized the parish on May 14, 1832, and civil recognition followed in 1835. The name honours Lazare Buteau (1749-1830), a timber merchant and militia major in Saint-Gervais who had promised to fund the church. His widow, Marguerite Marcoux, kept his promise.
A large wooden chapel served as the first church from 1846, and the first priest arrived in 1849. The post office opened in 1855 and took the name Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse in 1879. The current church, designed by architect David Ouellet, was built in 1882.
Several parishes grew partly out of Saint-Lazare’s territory, including Saint-Nérée, Honfleur and part of Saint-Damien. A Casavant organ was installed in the church in 1916. In 1994, the municipality officially adopted the name Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse
Where is Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse?
In the centre of the Bellechasse RCM in Chaudière-Appalaches, about 30 minutes from Lévis. The municipality is the seat of the RCM.
Where does the name Saint-Lazare come from?
It honours Lazare Buteau (1749-1830), a timber merchant and militia major in Saint-Gervais who had promised to fund the church. His first name is also that of Lazarus, Jesus’s friend in the Gospel.
What is the Festival de la Galette?
A celebration of the buckwheat pancake, held in August in Saint-Lazare. Buckwheat was once widely grown in the municipality, and the festival held its 50th edition in 2026.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse 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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