Since 1827, Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière has been shaping the future with pride and passion. Rooted in a rich heritage, our College continues to embrace innovation, offering every generation a place to learn, grow, and thrive. Discover an inspiring history that continues to unfold at the heart of our community.
Charles-François Painchaud, whose ancestors hailed from Normandy, was born on Île-aux-Grues in 1782. He was ordained a priest in 1805. A year later, Abbé Painchaud was appointed missionary to the Baie des Chaleurs region, based in Tracadièche (Carleton). It was a vast and challenging mission. In 1814, he was appointed parish priest of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière. On August 18, 1814, accompanied by two companions, he set sail in the "three-thousand-nail" longboat he had built himself in the attic of his rectory.
He stopped at Percé, Matane, and Kamouraska, finally arriving at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière on September 17. He would spend the last 24 years of his life there, accomplishing the work that secured his place in our country's history.
Abbé Charles-François Painchaud was 45 years old when he founded the Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière. The Séminaire de Québec had already been in existence for over a century and a half, and the Collège de Montréal for half a century. The colleges at Nicolet, St-Hyacinthe, and Sainte-Thérèse had only just been established. Yet in the Lower St. Lawrence region—stretching from Quebec City to Gaspé—there was not a single secondary school for boys. Painchaud, a man of clear vision and decisive action, told himself: "We need a college!" Nothing would stop him.
Construction begins in June 1827. Together with his parishioners, Father Painchaud cuts timber in the forest and gathers stone from the fields. The people of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière generously contribute money, building materials, labour and transportation for wood, lime and stone. Construction takes two years.
Everything is ready for the opening of the school, but classes must wait until October 1 because only eight students arrive on the original opening day, with many prospective students still busy helping with the harvest.
The Collège initially welcomes 20 boarding students and a few day students. By the end of the school year, enrolment reaches 47 students.
On February 9, 1838, Charles-François Painchaud, founder of the Collège, passes away.
Father François Pilote, then Director of the Collège, establishes the School of Agriculture, which later becomes the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire de La Pocatière.
The Painchaud Public Speaking Competition is established. Originally known as the Société Painchaud, it was created to promote public speaking and eloquence. It remains the oldest competition still held at our Collège today.
Students are required to wear the traditional "suisse," a school coat that serves as the uniform of the time. This tradition continues until 1955, when the garment disappears permanently from school life.
On June 23, 1890, the Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière Alumni Association is officially founded.
On November 14, 1894, running water arrives at the Collège, marking a major improvement in daily life.
The traditional farewell song Fils de Ste-Anne is composed. More than a century later, it continues to be sung during our graduation celebrations.
During the First World War, 162 current and former students of the Collège serve in the armed forces: one in the British Army, 151 in the Canadian Army and ten in the American Army.
Among them are four chaplains, nine physicians, one colonel, six captains, twelve lieutenants, three sergeants and 127 soldiers. Tragically, 15 lose their lives while on active duty.
On November 20, 1915, electric lighting is introduced at the Collège, forever transforming daily life.
As the First World War comes to an end, the Spanish flu pandemic strikes the Collège, claiming the lives of thirteen students.
On December 15, 1920, a devastating fire breaks out at the Collège.
The general alarm is sounded, and local residents rush to help. Unfortunately, strong winds make it impossible to control the flames. The fire spreads rapidly throughout the nearly century-old institution.
Parishioners, students and priests work tirelessly to rescue furniture and other belongings, retreating only as the flames advance.
One by one, the different wings of the Collège are consumed by the fire.
The Collège soon begins to rise from its ashes.
On February 25, 1921, the Corporation of Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière approves the architectural plans for reconstruction. The new building is to be erected on the ruins of the old one.
Construction of the foundations for the main façade begins on May 23, 1921. Two years later, on May 29, 1923, the completion of the reconstruction is celebrated.
On June 20, 1927, approximately 1,500 former students gather to celebrate the Collège's 100th anniversary.
The Œuvre St-Charles is established to provide financial assistance to students' families.
This scholarship fund continues to exist today under the name of the Collège's founder: the Charles-François-Painchaud Education Fund, established in 2002.
The first edition of L'Union Amicale, a publication dedicated to former students of Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, is released.
The magazine continues to be published three times a year and is distributed to more than 5,000 alumni.
In September 1945, Empress Zita of Austria visits Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière.
The Collège is privileged to preserve a magnificent piano that once belonged to her.
The Collège's chapel, a remarkable architectural treasure within its historic stone walls, undergoes renovations.
In September 1964, girls are admitted to Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière through a special Belles-Lettres program, marking another major milestone in the institution's history.
The Little Sisters of the Holy Family leave the Collège.
Between 1905 and 1967, a total of 452 sisters served the priests and students of the institution over a period of 62 years.
The Fondation Bouchard is established. Over the following decades, the Foundation plays an important role in supporting the Collège's educational development.
The François-Pilote Museum opens behind the Collège.
Now known as the Musée québécois de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, the museum celebrates the history and importance of agriculture and food in Québec.
Construction begins on the Collège's current gymnasium.
That same year, the institution celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Paramundo, the Collège's international cooperation group, is founded.
The Côte-Sud and Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière Archives Centre officially opens.
On September 16, 1994, the Cégep de La Pocatière purchases the spaces it had previously been renting from the Collège.
On June 14, 1995, the Internet arrives at the Collège thanks to the collaboration of the Fondation Bouchard.
The Collège's School of Music also opens. It later becomes École Destroismaisons, which continues to have its headquarters at the Collège.
The Collège creates Secondaire en Spectacle, a performing arts initiative for secondary school students that eventually becomes a province-wide event coordinated by Québec's regional recreation and sports organizations.
Football makes a strong comeback at Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière after having been particularly popular during the 1960s and 1970s.
A new cadet football team, the Wisigoths, is established. In 2001, a juvenile team joins the program. The latter goes on to win the prestigious Bol d'Or championship in the fall of 2006.
The Collège welcomes its first participants from Campus Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta for a French immersion experience during July and August.
Since then, the Collège has continued to welcome participants in the Explore program each summer.
The start of the 2004 school year marks another chapter in the Collège's history as the wearing of a school uniform becomes mandatory once again.
In June 2005, Latin is removed from the curriculum and replaced by Spanish, reflecting the evolving language-learning needs of students.
In June 2006, Father Alfred Bérubé retires after 39 years of teaching.
His departure marks the end of an era, as he is the last priest to teach at the Collège, continuing a tradition that began with the institution's earliest years.
On June 3, 2008, the Collège officially announces the launch of its geothermal energy project.
On October 28, 2008, the Collège is featured on the cover of L'actualité magazine after ranking first among Québec's private schools, and third among all public and private schools in the province, for its impact on student achievement.
On September 28, 2010, the Collège receives first prize in the provincial Excellence Mieux Consommer 2010 competition, sponsored by Hydro-Québec, in recognition of its geothermal energy project.
On October 1, 2010, the Collège officially launches a $3-million fundraising campaign.
On June 22, 2011, the Collège's boarding facilities close, and host families begin accommodating students.
During the summer, the fundraising campaign makes major renovations possible, including the complete refurbishment of the boys' changing rooms, the creation of new football team facilities and important waterproofing repairs in the interior courtyard.
At the start of the 2012 school year, every Secondary I and II student (Grades 7 and 8) has an iPad as part of their school supplies, introducing a new approach to teaching and learning.
On September 4, the Petite École Montessori de La Pocatière officially opens within the Collège's facilities.
In September 2013, the Collège introduces its specialized sports programs under a Sports-Study model, allowing students to combine academic education with athletic development.
According to the Fraser Institute's Québec secondary school rankings, the Collège ranks first in the province for its students' results on Ministry of Education examinations among secondary schools without selective admissions.
The Collège continues to hold this leading position for many subsequent years.
The Collège officially opens its French Immersion School, expanding opportunities for students from around the world to learn French in an authentic Québec environment.
The renovated student residence also opens, welcoming its first international students enrolled in regular secondary education or French-language integration programs, with accommodation available seven days a week.
The Collège celebrates 190 years since its very first students entered the institution in 1829, marking nearly two centuries of educational tradition and achievement.
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