I have been very pleased to see the Sun Journal coverage of Saints Peter and Paul Basilica in Lewiston. The stories have been interesting and informative. Sadly, however, I have not seen the name of the original architect in any of the articles.

It was, of course, Noel Coumont, a Belgian architect who was originally hired in 1904 to design and execute the plan. Coumont lived and died in the area without ever receiving the credit he should have for his original 1904 design. Many people in the Norway and South Paris area would be familiar with the name as the famous Minerva Coumont stone

Minnie of Market Square Minnie’s BarBQ, was the daughter of Noel Coumont. Ralph Stone, Noel’s grandson, still resides in South Paris.

I knew of Noel Coumont being the original architect from the many times that Minnie and I would talk about him, his designs and buildings when I was a young curator at the Maine Historical Society.

I just thought the grand old man who designed that beautiful structure should not go unmentioned or be forgotten.

This would have been a very proud day for Minnie.

Stephen Trent Seames, Worcester, Mass.

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