La St-Jean in Lewiston-Auburn


Float, Sts. Peter and Paul choir, Lewiston, 1896

Float, Sts. Peter and Paul choir, Lewiston, 1896
Item 18409   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Pope Pius X sanctioned St. John the Baptist as the patron saint of the French in North America in 1908, 70 years after his birth date was already an event used as a demonstration of French-Canadian nationalism.

Members of the Saints Peter and Paul Church choir in 1896 on a very elaborate float bearing the banner "Excelsior." In center, a little to the right, is H. F. Roy, the choir director. Behind the organ is Emilie Couturier.

Replica of Jacques Cartier ship, 1897

Replica of Jacques Cartier ship, 1897
Item 18401   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

La Grande Hermine was the ship that carried Jacques Cartier to Canadian soil.

E. Lemelin of New Auburn designed this float and also portrayed the great French explorer on it.

Alfred Auger as St-Jean-Baptiste, 1890

Alfred Auger as St-Jean-Baptiste, 1890
Item 18402   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

An early St. John mascot, Alfred Auger (1885-1942), was a member of a prominent early immigrant family in the Lewiston-Auburn area.

St-Jean-Baptiste portrayal, 1890

St-Jean-Baptiste portrayal, 1890
Item 18522   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Alfred Auger's depiction of St. Jean Baptiste was captured in this oil painting. He is portrayed in a rural scene.

Alfred Auger, ca. 1930

Alfred Auger, ca. 1930
Item 18400   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Auger (1885-1942), a native of East Poland, who was portrayed as a young St. John in the above oil painting, later became an entertainer in Atlantic City, New York and Boston.

Banner du Institut Jacques Cartier

Banner du Institut Jacques Cartier
Item 18420   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

In Lewiston, huge popular parades were held from 1875 to 1966.

Organizing the event, which involved thousands of people, was a massive undertaking.

For three-quarters of a century, Lewiston's oldest Franco group, L'Institut Jacques Cartier, was responsible for the large-scale annual celebration.

Tancrel House, Lewiston, 1895

Tancrel House, Lewiston, 1895
Item 18399   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

The Tancrel home at 24 River Street, Lewiston, was decorated for the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, 1895.

From left are Alfred Tancrel, unknown, Marie Philippon (future wife of Alfred), unknown, Zenaide Tancrel, Ozios Tancrel (to right of steps in uniform of Société de St- Joseph), and at the bottom of steps, Clothilde, Julia, and Rose Philippon.

Jacques Cartier banner, Lewisston, ca. 1900

Jacques Cartier banner, Lewisston, ca. 1900
Item 18419   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Patriotism and ethnic pride highlighted these public manifestations

The banner's slogan is translated "Loyal yet still French-Canadians."

The banner includes a number of symbols: the eagle, fleur-de-lis, maple leaf, and the beaver as well as the French and American flags.

Lewiston American Legion in parade, 1941

Lewiston American Legion in parade, 1941
Item 18398   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

During World War II, patriotism was highlighted in the parade by the presence of Franco-Americans in their military uniforms.

Montagnard Band, Lewiston, 1947

Montagnard Band, Lewiston, 1947
Item 18412   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

In conjunction with the parade, a special mass was held at one of the Franco-American churches in the area.

Here, the Ste-Marie Church entrance is decorated with the flags of the United States, France, and Québec for the occasion.



Program, Saint Jean Baptiste day, 1964

Program, Saint Jean Baptiste day, 1964
Item 18390   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Founded in 1923, a federation of local Franco groups, La Ligue des Société, took charge of planning the event in 1927.

On the eve of the holiday a huge bonfire was held. The following morning, there was a church service and a parade.

In the afternoon outdoor athletic competitions took place and an evening banquet closed the festivities.

In 1964, the mass and banquet were held at Holy Cross Church.

St-Jean-Baptiste parade, Lewiston, 1958

St-Jean-Baptiste parade, Lewiston, 1958
Item 18403   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

The floats often had historical themes relating to the French in North America, such as this float about French missionaries evangelizing Indians.

Parade St-Jean-Baptiste, Lewiston, 1958

Parade St-Jean-Baptiste, Lewiston, 1958
Item 18407   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

The Notre Dame De Lourdes float in 1958 commemorated the centennial (1858-1958) of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France.

St-Jean-Baptiste float, Lewiston, 1959

St-Jean-Baptiste float, Lewiston, 1959
Item 18410   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Explorer Jacques Cartier was remembered in many parades.

The Institut Jacques Cartier sponsored this float in 1959.

St. John the Baptist parade, Auburn, 1962

St. John the Baptist parade, Auburn, 1962
Item 18397   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Social organizations with banners and badges wove their way along elaborate parade routes through the streets of downtown Lewiston and New Auburn.

Here the Assumption Society's Little Evangelines march in the 1962 parade.

St-Jean-Baptiste Day parade, Auburn, 1962

St-Jean-Baptiste Day parade, Auburn, 1962
Item 18392   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

The Jacques Cartier snowshoe club was one of dozens of groups that participated in the annual event.

The car festooned with streamers is on Broad Street in New Auburn.

St. John's Day parade float, Lewiston, 1965

St. John's Day parade float, Lewiston, 1965
Item 18396   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

The Ste-Marie parish float in the 1965 St. John the Baptist parade depicts the "Beheading of John the Baptist." The float is on Cedar Street in Lewiston, heading toward the bridge to New Auburn.

The Peter Allen Lumber Co. of Auburn loaned the flatbed truck.

Young St-Jean-Baptiste, Lewiston, ca. 1940

Young St-Jean-Baptiste, Lewiston, ca. 1940
Item 18411   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Each year, a young curly haired boy was chosen to represent St. John the Baptist as a child on a float during the parade. He wore a sheepskin and held a staff proclaiming: Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the lamb of God).

Altheode Chagnon is shown with a live sheep in 1940.

Petit St-Jean-Baptiste, 1958

Petit St-Jean-Baptiste, 1958
Item 18404   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Roger Bouffard of Lewiston, age 6, plays the young St. John the Baptist in the 1958 celebration of the saint's birthday.

The float's banner translates as "St. John the Baptist, precursor of the lamb of God."

St. John the Baptist Day, 1963

St. John the Baptist Day, 1963
Item 18413   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Paul Marichal as the young St. Jean Baptist, with his father, André Marichal, in 1963.

He is with the stuffed sheep used in the celebrations and several cardboard sheep.

The float celebrates the 40th anniversary of La Ligue des Sociétés.

St. John's Day parade, Lewiston, 1964

St. John's Day parade, Lewiston, 1964
Item 18393   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Reginald Parent and his son Laurent Parent, portraying St. John the Baptist, ride with the sheep in the St. John the Baptist Day parade, June 21, 1964.

They are on Lisbon Street near the intersection with East Avenue.

Greg Gosselin, Lewiston, 1965

Greg Gosselin, Lewiston, 1965
Item 18395   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Greg Gosselin as the young St-Jean-Baptiste in the St-Jean-Baptiste parade in 1965.

He is wearing the traditional sheepskin outfit, is posing with the sheep, and is holding the Ecce Agnus Dei banner.

Stuffed sheep, Lewiston, ca. 1890

Stuffed sheep, Lewiston, ca. 1890
Item 18414   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

The parades stopped in 1966, replaced by St-Jean-Baptiste banquets and Franco-American summer festivals.

Changing times, including the closing of some parish schools, the disbanding of some Franco-American organizations, and other Americanizing influences led to the end of the parades.

In Québec, the parti québécois secularized the event in 1977, renaming it La Fète Nationale.

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