The Oldest Pietà in North America
It is a wooden Pietà that was carved out of
a solid block of white oak in the 15th century by an unknown monk...
With the arrival of the railroad, the community of Ponteix was
about a half mile north of the original settlement.
A new church was built in the town and the Pietà statue placed in a special alcove in
the basement. In 1923 the church was totally destroyed by fire;
everything, except the Pietà.
"It was saved by a man (local fire fighter Wilfred Liboiron
to the written history) --- as he managed to get it out through
a window smaller than the statue.
Locals believe he must have received some "divine help".