Saint-Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie in Kamouraska, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
L'Abbe Edouard Quertier
Edouard Quartier Apôtre de la Tempérance
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2019
1. L'Abbe Edouard Quertier Marker
The marker is mounted on the back side of the Edouard Quertier monument base.
Né à Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu le 5 septembre 1796
Élevé au Sacerdoce le 9 aout 1829
Vicaire à Saint-Gervaise • 1829-1831 — Curé de L’Ile-aux-Grues • 1831-1834 — Fait la Mission du Labrador en 1834 — Curé de Cacouna • 1834-1841 — Premier Curé de Saint-Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie • 1841-1856 — Retire à Saint-Denis • 1856-1872
Fondateur de la Société de la « Croix de Tempérance » le 1er Décembre 1842
Décède le 17 juillet 1872 à l’âge de 75 ans 10 mois
Une grande croix qu’il érigea sur la falaise de Saint-Denis en 1844 est le premier monument de tempérance elle fut restaurée en 1872-1899 et 1920
Orateur puissant, apôtre infatigable, bienfaiteur de son pays, adversaire acharne de l’ivrognerie, sa mémoire est en bénédiction.
Born in Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu on September 5, 1796
Ordained to the Priesthood on August 9, 1829
Vicar at Saint-Gervaise • 1829-1831 — Parish Priest of L’Ile-aux-Grues • 1831-1834 — Conducted the Labrador Mission in 1834 — Parish Priest of Cacouna • 1834-1841 — First Parish Priest of Saint-Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie • 1841-1856 — Retired to Saint-Denis
this page online
Founder of the “Cross of Temperance” Society on December 1, 1842
Died on July 17, 1872 at the age of 75 years and 10 months
A large cross he erected on the cliff of Saint-Denis in 1844 is the first temperance monument; it was restored in 1872, 1899, and 1920
A powerful speaker, tireless apostle, benefactor of his country, relentless opponent of drunkenness, his memory is a blessing.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1796.
Location. 47° 30.185′ N, 69° 56.289′ W. Marker is in Saint-Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie, Québec, in Kamouraska. It is at the intersection of Québec Route 132 and Route de la Grève ( Route 287), on the right when traveling south on Québec Route 132. The marker is on the base of the L'Abbe Edouard Quertier monument, in front of the Saint-Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie Catholic Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Route de l'Église, Saint-Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie QC G0L 2R0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2019
2. Edouard Quartier Apôtre de la Tempérance
The marker is mounted on the back side of the monument base.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jean-Charles Chapais (within shouting distance of this marker); Une croix de chemin transformée (approx. 7.3 kilometers away).
Also see . . . Édouard Quertier (Dictionary of Canadian Biography).
(by Julienne Barnard) Excerpt: In September 1841, for the second time in 12 years of ministry, Abbé Quertier was called upon to set up a new parish, that of Saint-Denis-de-Kamouraska. At Saint-Denis he was to realize the greatest achievement of his career, the founding of the Société de Tempérance, or Société de la Croix Noire. Since 1839 outstanding preachers had been protesting against the scourge of alcoholism. But it was Quertier who could claim the credit, in 1842, of drawing up the statutes of the temperance society, formulating the oaths of its new crusaders, and setting(Submitted on May 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)up as a symbol a bare black cross. Gradually, through Quertier’s action, the preaching of total abstinence spread far beyond the confines of Saint-Denis and even of the diocese of Quebec. Quertier’s marvelous eloquence made him famous: in the pulpit he became in turn “the man of fire,” the passionate orator, the suave preacher or the learned catechist: “There were often more people at catechism than at mass…” noted the minister. Popular belief attributed miraculous virtue to the black cross, and the Quertier rosary was thought to have extinguished fires and cured sick people.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 20193. L'Abbe Edouard Quertier MonumentThe Apostle Edouard Quertier Monument is in front of the Saint-Denis Catholic Church.After 15 years of parish ministry at Saint-Denis, Abbé Quertier, “old [and] worn out,” obtained his retirement, which was spent in calm and serenity. He died in Saint-Denis and was buried under the sanctuary of the church. Today his statue looks down from the bare hill that he climbed more than 100 years ago.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2019
4. Saint-Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie Catholic Church
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
