After the Acadian Expulsion of 1755, Acadian families settled in Saint-Gervais, and their descendants cleared the land of the future Saint-Raphaël. In 1839, about forty landowners asked for a new parish. A mission was opened, served by the priest of Saint-Gervais.
The town at a glance
RCMBellechasse
South Shoresouth of Saint-Vallier
Life in Saint-Raphaël
The vibe
A rural village built around its stone church, presbytery and former convent. The Festival des Barres-à-Jack brings residents together.
The housing
Mostly single-family homes, in the village and along the rural roads. Low-cost housing for seniors and families is on Rue Beaudoin.
Nearby
Bibliothèque Jeannine-Marquis-Garant · CPE Belle Enfance · Community centre
Good to know
Highway 20 exit 348 leads to the village via Route 281, and Route 228 connects to Saint-Vallier and Montmagny. The Bellechasse RCM runs on-demand shared transportation to Lévis, Montmagny and Sainte-Marie.
Landmarks
- Saint-Raphaël church
- Rivière du Sud
- Saint-Raphaël hydroelectric plant
History
The history of Saint-Raphaël
- 1839Request to found a parish
- 1852Church blessed
- 1855Parish municipality created
- 1921Power plant starts up
- 1993Village and parish merge
The archbishop authorized the church in 1849. The building was lengthened in 1851, when residents of the 5th and 6th concessions of Saint-Michel joined the parish, and the church was blessed in 1852. The parish was canonically erected in 1854 and civilly recognized in 1855, the year the municipality was created.
The name honours Father François-Raphaël Paquet, priest of Saint-Gervais and the mission’s first pastor. The post office opened in 1852. In 1874, the church was enlarged and given a new façade designed by architect Joseph-Ferdinand Peachy.
In 1919, a fire destroyed part of the village east of the church. The Rivière du Sud power plant started up in 1921, the year the village split from the parish. The two municipalities merged in 1993, and the church was designated a heritage building in 2008 and again in 2020.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Raphaël
Where is Saint-Raphaël?
In the Bellechasse RCM in Chaudière-Appalaches, about 15 km from the St. Lawrence. It lies south of Saint-Vallier and north of Saint-Nérée-de-Bellechasse.
Where does the name Saint-Raphaël come from?
It honours Father François-Raphaël Paquet (1762-1836), priest of Saint-Gervais and the mission’s first pastor. The parish was placed under the patronage of Saint Raphael in his memory.
How do you get to Saint-Raphaël from Highway 20?
Take exit 348 and follow Route 281 south. It passes through Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse and La Durantaye before reaching the village.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Raphaël?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Raphaël 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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