Saint Boniface in Winnipeg, Manitoba — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
The Five Saint Boniface Cathedrals
Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 9, 2017
1. The First Chapel and Second Church/First Cathedral Marker
Inscription.
The Five Saint Boniface Cathedrals. .
1818-1825 First Chapel. When the first two Catholic missionaries arrived at the Red River settlement, much work awaited them. Father Provencher constructed a modest log structure to serve as rectory, church and boys' school.
1825-1839 Second Church First Cathedral. Right from the outset, father Provencher planned a larger building to serve the spiritual needs of the colony and represent the Church in the West. It took six years to raise the funds and complete the second church. Father Provencher was appointed bishop in 1822 and this church became thus the first St. Boniface Cathedral.
1839- 1862 Second Cathedral. The population of the colony was growing. Bishop Provencher decided to build a larger cathedral, a stone building which was completed in 1839. Sir George Simpson, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, provided a grant of 100 pounds sterling and the services of Scottish stone masons to complete the twin-towered building, immortalized in the poem "Red River Voyageur" by American poet J.G. Whittier in 1859. Fire destroyed this structure in 1860.
1862-1908 Third Cathedral. Bishop Tache undertook the construction of a third Cathedral, built of stone with one bell tower, smaller than the previous one. It was used for 45 years until the construction of what would become the biggest Cathedral in Western Canada. The last two decades of the nineteenth century were marked by a rapid growth of the city and, due to the increase of the population a larger building was needed. This church was demolished after the construction of the 4th Cathedral.
1908-1968 Fourth Cathedral. Archbishop Langevin succeeded Archbishop Tache in 1894 and the construction of a new cathedral started in 1905. Completed in three years, it was the most impressive building to date. Designed by the Montreal architectural firm of Marchand and Haskell in the Roman-byzantine style, it featured a 25 foot stained glass rosette and seated about 2000 people. Joseph Senecal led to construction which cost $325,000 at the time. On July 22, 1968 this building was destroyed by fire.
1972 Fifth Cathedral. Before the ashes had cooled, the reconstruction project was being planned as Archbishop Baudoux was receiving cash and pledges from the parishioners. Franco-Manitoban architect Étienne Gaboury designed a new modern building, incorporated inside the walls and towers of the previous church to both meet the needs of the congregation and preserve the heritage of the past.
1818-1825 First Chapel
When the first two Catholic missionaries arrived at the Red River settlement, much work awaited them. Father Provencher constructed a modest log structure to serve as rectory, church and boys' school.
1825-1839 Second Church First Cathedral
Right from the outset, father Provencher planned a larger building to serve the spiritual needs of the colony and represent the Church in the West. It took six years to raise the funds and complete the second church. Father Provencher was appointed bishop in 1822 and this church became thus the first St. Boniface Cathedral.
1839- 1862 Second Cathedral
The population of the colony was growing. Bishop Provencher decided to build a larger cathedral, a stone building which was completed in 1839. Sir George Simpson, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, provided a grant of 100 pounds sterling and the services of Scottish stone masons to complete the twin-towered building, immortalized in the poem "Red River Voyageur" by American poet J.G. Whittier in 1859. Fire destroyed this structure in 1860.
1862-1908 Third Cathedral
Bishop Tache undertook the construction of a third Cathedral, built of stone with one bell tower, smaller than the previous one. It was used for 45 years
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until the construction of what would become the biggest Cathedral in Western Canada. The last two decades of the nineteenth century were marked by a rapid growth of the city and, due to the increase of the population a larger building was needed. This church was demolished after the construction of the 4th Cathedral.
1908-1968 Fourth Cathedral
Archbishop Langevin succeeded Archbishop Tache in 1894 and the construction of a new cathedral started in 1905. Completed in three years, it was the most impressive building to date. Designed by the Montreal architectural firm of Marchand and Haskell in the Roman-byzantine style, it featured a 25 foot stained glass rosette and seated about 2000 people. Joseph Senecal led to construction which cost $325,000 at the time. On July 22, 1968 this building was destroyed by fire.
1972 Fifth Cathedral
Before the ashes had cooled, the reconstruction project was being planned as Archbishop Baudoux was receiving cash and pledges from the parishioners. Franco-Manitoban architect Étienne Gaboury designed a new modern building, incorporated inside the walls and towers of the previous church to both meet the needs of the congregation and preserve the heritage of the past.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.
Location.
Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 9, 2017
2. The Second Cathedral Marker
49° 53.337′ N, 97° 7.416′ W. Marker is in Saint Boniface, Manitoba, in Winnipeg. Marker is on Tache Avenue, 0.1 kilometers south of Avenue de la Cathedrale, on the right when traveling north. Marker(s) are part of a large marble monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Boniface MB R2H 0H7, Canada. Touch for directions.
6. The preserved facade of Saint Boniface Cathedral #4
Cathedral #5 is visible behind the facade.
Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 9, 2017
7. The Fifth Saint Boniface Cathedral
Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 9, 2017
8. Forever remembered
This memorial is meant as a tribute to all the "unknown" people buried in this cemetery since 1818, all those whose memory isn't kept on a tombstone: people of the First Nations, Métis, French Canadians, Scots, Irish...This cemetery is the resting place of more than 6000 people. Along with all those who have left their name in history, these pioneers have contributed to build this country and have opened the way for all of us who live here today. May they rest in peace in this sacred ground and historical landmark.
Postcard published by Valentine and Sons, circa 1910
9. St. Boniface Cathedral
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 3, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. 9. submitted on August 3, 2017.
