François-Xavier Michaud Manse
157 chemin du Couvent, Bouctouche, New Brunswick, E4S, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2006/01/01
Other Name(s)
François-Xavier Michaud Manse
Auberge Le Vieux Presbytère de Bouctouche
Links and documents
n/a
Construction Date(s)
1880/01/01
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2006/05/05
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The site of the former manse of Father François-Xavier Michaud consists of a large garden, a grotto, and a middle-class 2 ½ story Greek Revival residence built in 1880 as the priest’s house. It is located on Du Couvent Road in Bouctouche.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of François-Xavier Michaud Manse as a local historic place resides in the importance of the work of Father François-Xavier Michaud (1841-1903) in Bouctouche.
Parish priest for the area from 1876 to 1903, Father Michaud was one of the leading priests in the Acadian Renaissance. In addition to overseeing the construction of the village’s Gothic Revival church, he founded the Convent of the Immaculate Conception, which became one of the main educational institutions in Acadia. Father Michaud set up the Société d’Agriculture and was one of the promoters of the railway linking Bouctouche to Moncton. He was also a zealous Acadian nationalist who went as a delegate to the Congrès de Québec in 1880.
François-Xavier Michaud Manse is attributed heritage value because of its architectural quality. Newspapers of the time report that Father Michaud was the architect of these buildings. This elegant Greek Revival residence was built in 1880. The large square massing of this two-and-a-half storey house is accentuated by a veranda on two sides. An architectural ornament is created by the two-storey central bay with an engaged hexagonal dormer that sits on the front veranda. The grounds include a large garden and a Lourdes grotto set up in 1953 in memory of Father Michaud.
Source: Kent Museum, 150 Du Couvent Road Bouctouche, N.B.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of Father François-Xavier Michaud’s Manse property include:
- the grounds;
- large garden;
- Lourdes grotto set up in 1953 in memory of Father Michaud;
- Father Michaud’s tombstone;
- driveways bordered by maples.
The character-defining elements of Father François-Xavier Michaud’s Manse include:
- imposing massing of the residence;
- 2 ½-storey structure;
- veranda on two sides;
- 2-storey central bay with an engaged hexagonal dormer;
- steeply sloped gable roof;
- symmetry of the openings;
- fine interior wood trim;
- large staircase;
- doors crowned with a fanlight;
- niches and sunroom.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
New Brunswick
Recognition Authority
Local Governments (NB)
Recognition Statute
Community Planning Act
Recognition Type
Local Register
Recognition Date
2006/01/01
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
1953/01/01 to 1953/01/01
Theme - Category and Type
- Building Social and Community Life
- Religious Institutions
- Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
- Architecture and Design
- Building Social and Community Life
- Education and Social Well-Being
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Commerce / Commercial Services
- Hotel, Motel or Inn
Historic
- Religion, Ritual and Funeral
- Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Architect / Designer
François-Xavier Michaud
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Town of Bouctouche files, 211 Irving Boulevard, Bouctouche, NB
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
371
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a