RACICOT, Felix (1903-1973) was one of a young generation of Quebec architects responsible for introducing a modernist style and aesthetic to ecclesiastical architecture in central Quebec after 1930. Born on 16 February 1903 he graduated from the Ecole de Beaux-Arts School in Montreal in 1929 and registered with the Province of Quebec Assoc. of Architects in 1931. He opened an office in Sorel, Que. and continued to work there for the duration of his career. His best known work is the Monastery for the Benedictine Fathers at St. Benoit-du-Lac, Que. (1939) as well as the design of the nearby church (1941), both executed in collaboration with Father Paul Bellot and Father Claude Marie Cote (Nicole Tardif-Painchaud, Dom Bellot et l'architecture religieuse au Quebec, 1978, 58-60, descrip., Plates 52-53, illus.; H. Kalman, History of Canadian Architecture, 1993, ii, 730-1, illus. & descrip.).
In his later work, such as the church at St. Dominique (1947-48) he employed a formal axial plan combined with heavy masonry walls stripped of unnecessary decoration, with an elaborate portico serving as the centrepiece of the main facade and front entrance. Racicot died at Sorel, Que. on 18 September 1973 (death notice La Presse [Montreal], 20 Sept. 1973, F 14; Le Devoir [Montreal], 21 Sept. 1973, 6)
SOREL, QUE., reconstruction of the City Hall, with new Public Market Hall, 1930 (C.R., xliv, 4 June 1930, 64, 68)
SOREL, QUE., Sacred Heart Roman Catholic College, Prince Street, 1935-36 (Gazette [Montreal], 4 May 1935, 7, descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, xv, April 1938, 7, illus. in advert.; inf. Scott Edwards)
ST. JOHNS, QUE., parish hall for the Roman Catholic Diocese, 1938 (C.R., li, 16 Feb. 1938, 29)
SOREL, QUE., Roman Catholic Hospital and Old People's Home, 1938 (C.R., li, 2 March 1938, 50-1)
(with Father Paul Bellot and Father Claude-Marie Cote) ST. BENOIT-DU-LAC, QUE., monastery for the Benedictine Fathers, 1939; and a church near the monastery, 1941 (C.R., lii, 15 Feb. 1939, 28; liv, 8 Jan. 1941, 30; Gazette [Montreal], 12 July 1941, 10, descrip.)
ST. JOHNS, QUE., Roman Catholic seminary, 1940 (C.R., liii, 7 Aug. 1940, 18, t.c.)
ST. JOHNS, QUE., major addition to the Bishop's Palace, 1946 (C.R., lix, April 1946, 148)
CHAMBLY, QUE., Roman Catholic school, Chambly Road, 1946 (C.R., lix, Aug. 1946, 157)
SOREL, QUE., hospice for the Grey Nuns, 1946 (C.R., lix, May 1946, 118)
SOREL, QUE., general hospital, 1947 (Architecture Batiment Construction, ii, Sept. 1947, 54-7, illus.)
ST. BRUNO, QUE., monastery for the Order of Ste. Trinity, 1947 (C.R., lx, Aug. 1947, 260)
ST. DOMINIQUE, QUE., Roman Catholic Church, 1947-48 (C.R., lx, Aug. 1947, 260)
SOREL, QUE., Arts & Trades School for the provincial government, 1947-48 (C.R., lx, Nov. 1947, 142; Architecture Batiment Construction, ii, Dec. 1947, 20, 41-3, illus.)
MONTMAGNY, QUE., Roman Catholic Hospital, 1948 (C.R., lxi, May 1948, 174)
MONTREAL, QUE., The Claude Champagne Concert Hall, at the Ecole de Musique Vincent d'Indy, 1960-64 (Gazette [Montreal], 24 Nov. 1964, 10, descrip.)