Ave Maria Chapel, located at 941 de la Mine Road, in the Derry sector.

 

In December 1944, Father Lombard, born on March 2, 1884 in Ancelle, France, bought a piece of land for the sum of $60, from the Lépine family who had previously bought a greater piece of land giving access to the Chauncey and Half-Moon lakes, from Mr. Antonio Mercier, for the sum of $190. Father Lombard built his cottage there in 1945. 

 

In the 50’s, Father Lombard began to celebrate mass at his cottage, and eventually celebrated masses outside. The official authorization for these celebrations came from the bishopric on September 9, 1957. 

 

On December 1, 1959, the Association de tourisme des lacs Lombard de Buckingham-Nord (ADLL – North-Buckingham Tourism Association of Lombard Lakes) registers.  Its objectives were as follows: worship organization, road improvement and repair, access to the lakes while ensuring a safe environment, maintenance and repair of the church and its bell tower. All the property owners of Chauncey, Half-Moon, Jack, Brûlé, Smith, Whittaker, Judge, Parcher and McGuire lakes could become members upon payment of an annual fee.

 

The decision to build the chapel was taken by the Association, known as the “Club” on October 27, 1959. Construction began in 1960. The Chapel was built on a piece of land of 90’ x 160’, sold by Mr. Wilfrid Lépine for the sum of $1.  One clause of the land sale contract forbade it to include a dancing hall or a summer camp!  Thanks to the work of its members, money and material donations, Sunday collections, contributions and other fundraising campaigns, the construction was terminated before the winter of 1960, including most of the interior. Thirty pews were sold at $5 each. The first mass was celebrated on June 25, 1961.  During the following decade, different additions were built, in particular the roof of the Chapel’s front porch, and the sacristy at the right of the chancel.  One cannot fail to mention the donations for the construction materials of the bell tower.

 

After 60 years of priesthood, Archbishop Lombard died on June 16, 1977, in Ottawa.  For the first years after his death, replacements were relatively easy to find.

 

Then came the 80’s and a first municipal tax bill for the Chapel in 1983. Despite the ADLL objection, the tax exemption was refused.  That year, Mr. Robert Ivall was mayor, up until the November election, where he was defeated, 128 voices against 97, by Mr. Rolland Lacombe.

 

During the 90’s, the Chapel lost its priest.  Father Gérald Mauzeroll, who had a cottage at Lake McGuire, celebrated a few masses at the Chapel during his visits, and as long as his health allowed.  He died in 1999. It is then that the Chapel was converted into a community hall, the administration and maintenance being held by the ADLL.  During that decade, more and more events were organized for the sector’s residents.

 

The years 2000 brought on major renovations inside the Chapel, financed among others by Muriel Brunet and Robert Waito.  In 2018, important construction work became possible thanks to a few grants, among which one given to the Association des aînés de Mulgrave-et-Derry (Mulgrave and Derry Senior Association) via the federal program Horizon, another from the Papineau MRC Development Program, and one from the provincial deputy Alexandre Iracà.  Later, in 2019, an agreement was reached with the Municipality of Mulgrave-et-Derry for the rental of a section of the building that would allow to set up a municipal library.

 

The Chapel remains a dynamic and lively place, and the gathering place of the community.

 

(Reference: document on the history of the Association de Lacs Lombard, prepared by Mr. J. Claude Théberge, May 14, 2002; newspaper Journal les 2 vallées, January 29, 2020; Registre des mentions – Gouvernement du Québec)