Our History
The Heritage Conservation Corporation of Saint-Simon-les-Mines Inc. was founded in 1992 by descendants of the Wintles and heritage lovers, with the aim of giving the population access to the oldest stone church in Beauce.
Abandoned for more than fifteen years, the Board of Directors at the time took steps to restore the original appearance of this monument of our history. Over the following years, the administrators made many efforts to improve accessibility and increase the attractiveness of the site.
In 2007, the St-Paul de Cumberland church was cited by the municipality of Saint-Simon-les-Mines in the Répertoire du Patrimoine culturel du Québec and also in 2007, this same heritage property was recognized as an exceptional historical monument by the Ministry of Culture and Communications.
Efforts to preserve and promote the site were, among other things, rewarded in 2013 with the Heritage Prize of the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches Regions in the Conservation and Preservation category.
Then, in 2020, the site received top honors in the category: Tourist attractions – stories, arts and culture of the Grands Prix du tourisme Desjardins de Chaudière-Appalaches.
Then, in 2020, the site received top honors in the category: Tourist attractions – stories, arts and culture of the Grands Prix du tourisme Desjardins de Chaudière-Appalaches.