Universal maritime columbarium, cenotaph and pergola
As part of an exhibition, the friends of Port-Joli invite the public to the Gérard-Ouellet sociocultural center in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli from October 6 to November 11. Visitors will be able to discover the different stages of the restoration of the Pillar-of-Stone lighthouse, the installation of the first urns in the universal maritime columbarium in the lighthouse, as well as a cenotaph project with pergola.
Note that the cenotaph in question will be located near the Maritime Interpretation Trail in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, near the Parc des Trois-Bérets. It will feature the stone lighthouse sculpture made by local sculptor Maurice Harvey. The names of those who will have their urns in the universal maritime columbarium located in the lighthouse will be inscribed on the cenotaph. This unique project aims to commemorate these deceased people whose last wish was to find themselves in the heart of the lighthouse.
The shape and colors of the pergola have been designed according to this. For example, the shape of the 12-sided roof to recall the roof of the lantern. The top will be designed with the same pieces and pleats as this one. The infrastructure and the circular base of the cenotaph were installed on Tuesday, September 27. The stone of the cenotaph will be put in place soon.
So far, the Corporation les amis du Port-Joli has paid $4,000 for the balance of the cost and the stone, as well as $2,500 for the sculpture. Various sponsors were also honored at the various stages of the project. However, the monetary search to top it all off is not over.
The Corporation invites the public and businesses to make a donation so that the pergola can see the light of day. Depending on the funds collected, the project may be postponed to 2023 or later.
The exhibition will also compensate for the community’s support for the various projects of the Friends of Port-Joli since 2008. Photos and sculptures of the lighthouse will be honored at the Sociocultural Center.
“The objective of this exhibition is to publicize the work carried out to make this place a columbarium and to publicize the project of the cenotaph and its pergola”, explains the vice-president of the friends of Port-Joli, Mr. John Parent.
Lighthouse history
The vice-president recalls the work that has been carried out since 2007 at the Lighthouse, as well as the various projects submitted to the Corporation. First of all, from 2007 to 2010, preliminary works were initiated in order to prevent bad weather from entering the lighthouse. From 2012 to 2017, the organization benefited from the construction of the maritime interpretation trail between the Parc des Trois-Bérets and the marina.
Respectively, restoration work on the landing stage took place at Pilier-de-Pierre in 2019, as well as the restoration of the interior of the lighthouse in 2020. Finally, it was the turn of the restoration of the exterior stone joints of the lighthouse and the construction a discount in 2021 and 2022.
More information on this unique concept of the universal maritime columbarium will be revealed.