The former Saint-Henri-de-Barachois church (1826) is now known as the Barachois Historical Church.

Preserved on its original site, it is the oldest Acadian wooden church still standing, with its original structure fully preserved. We will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026.

The church was built under the supervision of Father Antoine Gagnon, a great Acadian nationalist and ardent defender of the French language. Residents of Shediac, Scoudouc, Haute-Aboujagane, Barachois, Cap-Pelé and Shemogue began construction in the fall of 1823–1824, under the skilful direction of Barachois carpenter Hilaire Arsenault, to replace a chapel that had existed since 1804. Eager to open the doors of his new church, Father Gagnon celebrated the baptism of Ruffine Boudreau on June 23, 1826, even before the work was completed. The present facade and bell tower were built in 1884, and the current sacristy in 1900.

In June 1974, when the new church next door was inaugurated, the doors of the old building were closed. It was under the threat of demolition that a citizens’ committee was formed, in January 1980, to alert the Acadian population to this eventuality. The former churches of Shediac, Cap-Pelé and Cocagne had faced the same fate. A first fundraising campaign to save the church was launched: the “Grousse Corvée” was a resounding success. The church is saved and restored. The Church-Museum opened its doors to the general public in June 1981, as the church came back to life and began its new vocation as a provincially significant historic site in New Brunswick.