POSTCARD

Date: Unposted, but February 13 is written on the front and the note on the back is dated February 16, 1914.

Publisher / Photographer: Unidentified.

Notation: This postcard is quite unusual as it is a coloured real photo one. To the best of my knowledge this could only have been done by tinting the photo by hand.

I have read that a stone church and rectory was constructed in 1898, replacing the original log church that had been in use since 1880. But I was unable to find images online to confirm that the structures shown on the postcard were, in fact, these buildings. I contacted the RM of Ellice-Archie and received a very thorough reply from Connie Tanguay. She sent me photographic images from the Ellice Centennial book which confirmed that the postcard is of these historic St. Lazare buildings. She also sent an article from the May 22, 1023 issue of La Liberte which reported that the church was destroyed by fire on Sunday, May 18, 1923. Apparently the church was located in the north-west part of St. Lazare and its foundations are still visible next to the old graveyard.

This is a rough translation of the (French) message on the reverse: "My dear Justin, forgive me for my long silence, I will give you the reasons for it. To remember St Lazare more often, I send you one of the most beautiful memories that one can have - the church and presbytery and the hills behind. The month of February was very cold and last week 45 to 48 degrees below zero. Since yesterday -10 below zero. We find it good. We have temperatures but not earthquakes. I hope that we are very good. This card saved you a good memory of your friend."