Born November 29, 1838 in Saint-Grégoire-de-Nicolet (Bécancour), Louis Richard is the son of Jean-Noël Richard, farmer, and Marie-Madeleine Massé.
After following a classical course at the Collège de Nicolet, Richard entered the Collège de Trois-Rivières, where he taught while completing training in theology. He was ordained a priest in 1864. He obtained the degree of master of arts in 1883 and completed a doctorate in theology at the University of Quebec in 1902.
After his ordination, Richard taught philosophy at the Trois-Rivières seminary. He was director of students there from 1865 to 1870 and vice-superior and prosecutor from 1870 to 1880. He held the office of superior three times, from 1880 to 1886, from 1889 to 1895 and from 1900.
In 1886, Richard was named canon of the chapter of Trois-Rivières cathedral. Four years later, he obtained the honorary distinction of supernumerary apostolic protonotary.
He published Histoire du Collège des Trois-Rivières (1855). He is also the author of Acadian families of the Trois-Rivières region (1990), published posthumously.
Monsignor Louis Richard is associated as builder and/or architect/designer of the following buildings:
- The Louis-et-Joseph Richard residential complex in Montreal, built from 1889-1890
- The convent chapel of the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood in Trois-Rivières (1897-1898)
- The convent of the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood in Trois-Rivières (1897 – 1898)
- Saint-Joseph Seminary of Trois-Rivières (1902-1903 and 1927-1929)
- The church of Saint-Antoine in Montmagny (1887-1889)
He passed away on January 6 1908.
Sources : Website Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec / Research P. Richard