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Gravelbourg Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Roman Catholic Cathedral
1912
Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan

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Gravelbourg Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Roman Catholic Cathedral
Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Co-Cathedral
Formerly known as Ste.-Philomene Roman Catholic Cathedral

First Building

In 1912 authorization to build a church was given. That fall the foundation of the first church was begun with Rev. Fr. Magnan. The basement for the second church was constructed with a roof and a single steeple and later became the foundation of the first part of College Mathieu. It was used for services until 1918.

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Interior Artwork Angel
1919
Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan

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Gravelbourg Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Roman Catholic Cathedral
Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Co-Cathedral
Formerly known as Ste.-Philomene Roman Catholic Cathedral

Interior

Between the years 1918-1919 the building of the church began. It was built on the style of the Romanesque and Italian Renaissance - it has a steel structure, steel roof trusses and a concrete basement. The outside walls are made of fire-proof brick - light tan in color trimmed with Indiana limestone. This edifice was noted to be the most beautiful in the west and some say most remarkable in all of Canada due to the paintings of a master artist Father Maillard. He devoted ten years of his life (1921-1931) to the decoration of this church.

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Interior Dome
1919
Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan

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Gravelbourg Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Roman Catholic Cathedral
Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Co-Cathedral
Formerly known as Ste.-Philomene Roman Catholic Cathedral

Interior Dome

In 1930 a new diocese was formed and the first bishop was Monsignor R. Villeneuve O.M.I. This edifice became a cathedral.

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Interior Artwork
1919
Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan

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Gravelbourg Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Roman Catholic Cathedral
Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Co-Cathedral
Formerly known as Ste.-Philomene Roman Catholic Cathedral

Interior Artwork

The cathedral was declared a National Heritage Property on March 26, 1987 along with the Bishop's Residence and the Jesus-Mary Convent.

Since 1998 the diocese of Gravelbourg no longer exists; affected parishes are now under the Regina Diocese once again. Rather than reverting to the simple status of a church, the cathedral was designated "co-cathedral". The last bishop was Monsignor Raymond Roussin, S.M.

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Gravelbourg Area St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic
1927
Gravelbourg (area), Saskatchewan

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Gravelbourg Area St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church

In 1909 settlers of German descent began to homestead in this area. Services were held in homes by Father Bois. Later Fr. Jacob Wilhelm, who had recently come to Canada, built three chapels - Grismerville, St. Mathias at Gooding and St. Elizabeth. This was accomplished between his stay from 1911 to 1915. He then purchased a homestead near the latter mission.

In 1912 Mr. Christof Schwartz built the first country chapel, St. Elizabeth. The chapel became unsuitable for the growing members, therefore it was torn down and another was built in 1927. This was during Fr. Milner of the USA and dedicated by Rev. Neilburg, OMI then the Provincial Superior of the New German Oblate Province. To build this church each parishioner was asked to donate $100.00.

This mission had been served for many years from Meyronne, then Hodgeville, Gravelbourg and Vanguard. It has now closed.

Rev. Don Bolan, presently residing in Rome, holds service once a year on his visits at St. Elizabeth.

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Horizon St Cunegunda Roman Catholic
1928
Horizon, Saskatchewan

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Horizon St. Cunegunda Roman Catholic Church

The first church board was organized in 1906, but the congregation began earlier and services were held in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Wagner.

A church hall was built in 1915 and was then used for services.

By 1927 it had become a mission of Pangman.

St. Cunegunda Church was built in 1928. Later, a rectory was built, but is now gone and the church reverted to a hall in 1994. The congregation had been a mission of Bengough. Father Moullard traveled by horse and buggy from Weyburn until the railway came. He then came by train.

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Joeville Catholic Church
1916
Joeville, Saskatchewan

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Joeville Catholic Chapel

May 29th, 1916 a mission was established under the name of St-Joseph des Poissons. A Roman Catholic Chapel was built a Joeville in 1916 or 1917 by Ernest Lamontagne. The first priest was Fr. Rahard. Between 1919-21, a farmer priest, Fr. F.M. Gendron came from his ranch in the region to dispense religious services.

The chapel was moved in 1926 to a new location due to the railway construction. The new site was named Lisieux. In 1927 this chapel became the rectory at the new site.

This photo was taken at the Grand Opening in 1922 with parishioners in attendance