Initially a vicar in Charlesbourg, Charles-Ovide Godbout became the first parish priest (from 1905 to 1920) of the new parish of Notre-Dame-des-Laurentides when it branched off from Charlesbourg. Following this, he was parish priest of Charlesbourg from 1920 until his death in 1950. Known as a forward-thinking man who was close to his flock, he is credited with the major renovation of Saint-Charles-Borromée Church.