Description of Historic Place

St. Joseph Shrine is located on De la Chapelle Street in Tracadie-Sheila. It consists of a small chapel, Stations of the Cross, a rock garden and a pool of water with a fountain.

Heritage Value

St. Joseph Shrine is designated a Local Historic Place for its spiritual role in the community. Formerly, a triduum (three days of prayer) was celebrated here at the end of each summer, coinciding with the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. The chapel is a replica of the old church of the Acadians of Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia.

St. Joseph Shrine is also recognized for its association with Father Joseph A. Trudel. Father Trudel was born in Shippagan in 1888 and served as the pastor of Tracadie from 1944 to 1964. St. Joseph Shrine was dedicated by him in 1954. Construction of the shrine was his idea, because he had promised his mother he would build a shrine in the name of St. Joseph. His religious influence reached beyong the establishment of the shrine; thanks to his dynamism and enthusiasm that renovations to the interior of the current church were undertaken. Father Trudel, being a musician, also dreamed of equipping the church with a Casavant organ. However, that dream took 40 years or so before coming true.

Source : Town of Tracadie-Sheila, Heritage file # 28

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe Sanctuaire St-Joseph include:
- plaster Stations of the Cross;
- pool and fountain;
- two angels near the entrance;
- chapel;
- rock garden.

The character-defining elements that describe the chapel of Sanctuaire St-Joseph include:
- ogival windows;
- Celtic crosses on the doors;
- bell tower;
- oculus.