Discovery Guide - Abitibi-Témiscamingue

The history of the region is closely bound up with the story of thousands of European immigrants who came to work in the mines. These groups contributed significantly to the cultural and economic life of the region. Not only did they play an important role in economic development, they also enriched community life with their traditions and cultural events.

In the mid-1950s, the members of the Orthodox communities of Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d'Or decided to build churches that reflected who they were in order to preserve their religion and traditions. They built the Church of Saint-Nicolas in Val-d'Or in 1954. It was used as a place of worship until 1981. It was renovated in 2003 and it has an interpretive signage.

Construction of the Church of Saint-Georges in Rouyn-Noranda was completed in 1957. It was used as a place of worship until 1981. In 1984 it was purchased by the City of Rouyn-Noranda and converted into a religious museum. Since 2006 it also include an interpretation centre dedicated to the immigrants and their contribution to the regional community. The ussian orthodox church of Saint-Georges was designated as an historic monument by the City of Rouyn-Noranda in 1992.

The Churches of Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Georges are among the few places of Orthodox worship built in Québec, outside the greater Montreal area.

Photos:
Russian orthodox church of Saint-Georges in Rouyn-Noranda. Coll. Corporation maison Dumulon.

Église orthodoxe russe St-Georges
Intersection of Lamaque bld. and Armand-Gilbert bld.
Val-d'Or
(819) 824-9646
Exterior visit only
Rates: Free
Schedule: Free access to the site at all times

Guided tour: Offered at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Duration: 1h15
Schedule:
From mid-June to mid-August, daily - 8:30 am till 5 pm
Reservation: groups are requested to reserve 24 h. prior at the maison Dumulon
Out-of-season visits: group of 10 people and over, with reservation only.

Rates:
$7 (adult)
$6 Senior (55 years and more) and student
$4 Children (12 years and under)
$5/pers. (Group of 20 people and over)
$3/pers. (School group)