Évêques-de-Trois-Rivières Mausoleum

The Évêques-de-Trois-Rivières Mausoleum is a chapel containing ten burial spaces, distinguished by its half-cone shape built entirely from reinforced concrete. Located within the Saint-Michel cemetery, it stands as a separate structure serving both burial and memorial purposes.

The structure was completed in 1966, replacing the original cathedral crypt and requiring the careful relocation of 45 bodies including four bishops. This reburial marked a significant shift in how the diocese managed its most sacred remains.

Five deceased bishops of the Diocese of Trois-Rivières rest in this mausoleum, shaping the region's religious memory. Visitors can sense how the place serves as a spiritual anchor for the local faith community.

The chapel section accommodates about 60 people and includes a small sacristy for religious preparation and services. The structure sits directly on the cemetery grounds, making it convenient to locate during visits.

Architects Jean-Claude Leclerc and Roger Villemure designed the structure with symbolic intent: the chapel shape represents the ascension of the soul, while the mausoleum section symbolizes earthly rest. This concept gives the building a deeper spiritual purpose beyond its function.