Saint Maurice District

T he first free school for boys was opened close to Saint-Maurice church thanks to the initiative of Adrien Nyel. John Baptist de La Salle indicated him this parish because the priest, Nicolas Dorigny, was, more than others, concerned about the plight of the poor. In addition, "he was a thoughtful man, which was needed to counter the blows that were feared", according to the tasty expression of Jean-Baptiste Blain, friend and biographer of the founder of the Brothers. T he school and the lodgings of the masters were at the presbytery, facing the side door of the church. J ohn Baptist de La Salle and his Brothers would walk all the way from their first house to that parish in order to teach the poorest boys.