Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc

Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc
Municipality
Saint-Mathieu Church
Saint-Mathieu Church
Location within Maskinongé RCM
Location within Maskinongé RCM
St-Mathieu-du-Parc is located in Central Quebec
St-Mathieu-du-Parc
St-Mathieu-du-Parc
Location in central Quebec
Coordinates: 46°34′N 72°55′W / 46.567°N 72.917°W / 46.567; -72.917
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionMauricie
RCMMaskinongé
Settled1870s
ConstitutedJune 30, 1886
Government
 • MayorClaude Mayrand
 • Fed. ridingBerthier—Maskinongé
 • Prov. ridingSaint-Maurice
Area
 • Total
228.96 km2 (88.40 sq mi)
 • Land218.85 km2 (84.50 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
1,482
 • Density6.8/km2 (18/sq mi)
 • Change 2016-21
Increase 10.8%
 • Dwellings
1,164
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
G0X 1N0
Area code(s)819
Highways R-351
Websitewww.saint-mathieu-du-parc.ca Edit this at Wikidata

Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ matjø dy paʁk]) is a municipality in the Mauricie region of the province of Quebec, Canada. Prior to March 28, 1998, it was known simply as Saint-Mathieu.

It is home to the Mokotakan Museum, showcasing the First Nations of Quebec, as well as Bicolline (a large LARP venue). It is also one of the main access points to La Mauricie National Park.

The municipality is bisected by the Shawinigan River and dotted with many lakes, such as Vert, Goulet, Bellemare, Trudel, and des Érables.

History

Settlement of the area began in the second half of the 19th century, when 1 group settled along the Rivière des Souris and another near Lake Bellemare. In 1872, the Parish of Saint-Mathieu was formed, named in honour of Matthew the Apostle. In 1886, the Parish Municipality of Saint-Mathieu was established out of territory ceded by the Township de Shawenegan [sic]. It was sometimes also called Saint-Mathieu-de-Caxton (in reference to its location in the geographic township of Caxton) and Saint-Mathieu-du-Lac-Bellemare (referring to its location on Lake Bellemare). In 1891, its post office opened under the name Lac-Bellemare.

In 1980, the post office was renamed to Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc; the addition "du Parc" referring to La Mauricie National Park, whose eastern entrance is located within the municipality. On March 28, 1998, the Parish Municipality of Saint-Mathieu changed its status and name to become the Municipality of Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc.

On December 31, 2001, Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc was transferred from the Centre-de-la-Mauricie RCM to the Maskinongé RCM, following the formation of the new City of Shawinigan and the dissolution of the Centre-de-la-Mauricie RCM.

Demographics

Local government

List of former mayors:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Reference number 342502". Banque de noms de lieux du Québec [Bank of place names of Quebec] (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec.
  2. 1 2 "Répertoire des municipalités: Geographic code 51070". www.quebec.ca (in French). Gouvernement du Québec.
  3. 1 2 3 "Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc (Code 2451070) Census Profile". 2021 census. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  4. 1 2 "Répertoire des entités géopolitiques: Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc (municipalité) 30.6.1886 - ..." www.mairesduquebec.com. Institut généalogique Drouin. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  5. ↑ Eighth Census of Canada 1941 - Volume II - Population by Local Subdivisions (Report). Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1944. CS98-1941-2.
  6. ↑ "1971 Census of Canada - Population Census Subdivisions (Historical)". Catalogue 92-702 Vol I, part 1 (Bulletin 1.1-2). Statistics Canada. July 1973.