When the war finally came to an end, the bells were transported by boat to Baie-Comeau on June 15, 1946, six (6) years after they had been cast.

Their arrival proved timely: preparations were underway to celebrate the great enthronement of Monseigneur Napoléon-Alexandre Labrie, the first bishop of the newly formed diocese of Baie-Comeau. It was an important appointment as it highlighted the work accomplished by Mgr Labrie in promoting the growth and stability of the Catholic Church in the region.

And there could not be a bishop without a cathedral: Sainte-Amélie Church was thus designated Saint-Jean-Eudes cathedral, in honour of the Eudists, the order to which Mgr Labrie belonged. 

Pending their installation, the bells were stored at the North Shore Paper Company mill, just a stone’s throw from the new cathedral. For the ceremony, they were placed on the church square where they were blessed by Mgr Labrie, before being permanently placed at the top of the bell tower.

The creation of a new diocese is a major event that calls for large-scale celebrations. As such, on August 11, 1946, in addition to the many faithful, several important religious leaders and political figures also attended the ceremony: the Archbishop of Rimouski and the bishops of the dioceses of Saint-Hyacinthe, Gaspé and Bathurst, as well as the provincial ministers of Highways and Municipal Affairs, the provincial treasurer, and representatives of all the towns within the diocese.

The most important guest of all, however, was the city’s founder Colonel Robert McCormick. His right-hand man, Arthur Schmon, was also present. As tradition dictates that bells be given names during the blessing ceremony, it was decided that these two pillars of the community would be honoured. Robert and Arthur therefore now hang at the top of the bell tower along with Catherine, the bell named in honour of McCormick’s mother.

It was also the Colonel who had the honour of ringing the bells for the first time.

But he was not the only one wishing to do so! Residents also flocked to get a closer look at the three bells whose chimes would soon punctuate their daily lives.