Father Louis Philippe Routhier was born on April 25, 1880 near Montreal in the very year Ste. Marie was founded.
He was ordained on December 23, 1905 and appointed associate pastor of Ste. Marie Church until 1916.  He was pastor of two different churches in the state before in 1940, he was back at Ste. Marie as pastor.
The severe economic changes brought on by the Great Depression had severely diminished the wealth of the parish.  It was providential that Father Routhier was appointed pastor as he proved himself to be an administrator of exceptional ability. 

He was faced with a very large parish debt and with dedication and skill he was able to reduce the debt a great deal.  This brought praise from both his parishioners and his bishop. He was known as an honest man that was not a stranger to physical work as he lent a hand at the cemetery, convent and schools when needed. He also served for several years on the Marriage Tribunal.

A few months before his death he returned to St. Hyacinthe and died on April 1, 1954.