In almost every municipality in the Témiscamingue region, you can still find at least one roadside cross today. There are about thirty of them in our region. In addition to these crosses placed on the roadside, others are installed on mountains or in public places such as Fort-Témiscamingue or in the yards of private properties. A niche installed on the cross’s shaft is quite common. Some crosses rest on a pedestal and are surrounded by a wooden fence, often white.

Behind each roadside cross, there is an intention:

1. Commemorative cross: It reminds people of the site of an event.
2. Foundation cross: It highlights the man’s possession of his new land.
3. Public devotion cross: This is the traditional roadside cross that serves as a gathering place.
4. Votive cross: It testifies to a particular vow. People plant this cross to seek a favor or more often, they erect it to give thanks for a favor received.

Roadside crosses can be classified into three models:

1. Simple roadside cross: A post and beam, sometimes with decorative elements at the ends.
2. Cross with instruments of the Passion: The beam usually has symbolic objects that can vary, such as the lance, sponge, hammer, nails, crown of thorns, etc.
3. Calvary: It represents the Christ on the cross. It is sometimes topped with a small building. The Virgin Mary and the apostle John are occasionally depicted at the foot of the cross. This type of cross is mainly found in cemeteries.

Did you know?

Eight crosses, each quite different from the others, have been identified in the Témiscamingue territory. Discover them all.