History of Ste-Agathe

The first inhabitants of Pointe-à-Grouette were the Métis, descendants of the buffalo hunters and voyageurs employed by the North West Fur Co. and the Hudson Bay Co.

These families never put down roots in the region. By the end of the nine-teenth century, other families came, settled and grew grain crops in the rich Red River valley soil. The Red River, some 600 miles long, originates in Minnesota and flows north towards Winnipeg where a tributary, the Assiniboine River, empties into it at the historical site known as The Forks. The Red River flows into Lake Winnipeg.

Between 1863 and 1872, the missionaries Noël Ritchot, J.B. Proulx, and David Fillion visited the families along the Red River from Pointe-Coupé (Sainte-Adolphe 1896) to West Lynn (Emerson) and east to the Rat River (Saint-Pierre Jolys 1872-1880).

Steam boats and barges plied the Red River from, St. Paul Minnesota to Winnipeg transporting: immigrants, merchandise, and mail. By 1871, the Red River cart travellers used a ferry boat to cross the Red River at Pointe-à-Grouette. In a letter dated 1735 and again in his journal of 1738 and of 1739, La Vérendrye mentions "la rivière rouge", a term derived from the Indian "miskwagama sipi" meaning river red water. This river provided drinking water which was excellent in winter.


Between 1869 and 1873, Manitoba's land was surveyed in sections and townships. The river lots from Saint-Norbert to the U.S. border still bear the title "Parish of Sainte-Agathe". Father J.B. Proulx built, in 1872, a chapel to which was added a residence in 1874. It was called "la maison jaune". The Grouette residence was used as a school house from 1872 to 1897 when it was sold to Alexandre Brémaud who used it as his home until 1912.

The "St. Agathe School District No. 974" then included: Saint-Pierre Jolys, Aubigny, Saint-Adolphe, and the local schools of Saint-Antoine, Saint-Nicholas, Union Point and Sainte-Agathe where 127 pupils were
Catherine Mulaire, a metis teacher, was recognized for winning prizes at London Colonial Exhibition for some of her pupils' accomplishments. On April 11, 1876, Pointe-à-Grouette was given the official title of Paroisse de Sainte-Agathe" by Bishop Alexandre Taché.

The Red River Valley Railway was opened on June 1, 1888. Because of financial difficulties, it was taken over by the Canadian Northern Railway until 1919, the Government Railway owned it until 1923, and subsequently it became the property of the CNR. Two of the station agents were Joseph Éthier and Cornelius Connelly.
The Sainte-Agathe convent's construction is completed in 1900, a year only after the first teachers arrived in the village.

In 1908, the Bell Telephone Co. provided telephone services to Sainte-Agathe. It became the Manitoba Telephone System after 1934. In 1909, the telephone office was first housed in the Felix Lemoine General Store, then in the Théobald Joyal residence (Julien Brémaud's home since 1974), and eventually in the Donat Joyal Store.

Dr. Bonin, the first resident doctor, settled in sainte-Agathe in September 1910. There was a resident doctor serving the community intil Dr. Richard Roy left in 1940.

Around 1918, banking services were made available in a roomy section of the Luis Toupin store through the Bank of Hochelaga.
The Caisse populaire de Sainte-Agathe was established February 1943.

Father Clovis Paillé (1941-1956) was parish priest who had an imposing Casavant organ installed in the church. The church redecorated and new pews were installed. Father Paillé enjoyed visiting the pupils in the classrooms. He had personal way of teaching catechism. In i951, he given the title of Monsignor. He died March 3, 1 at the age of 77.

Father Adélard Couture, a promoter of cooperative movement, was pastor from 1956 to 1970.

Meanwhile, a 4-classroom addition had been added to the convent. The official opening was held October 17, 1948. The convent registered its highest number of students, a total of 176, of whom 36 were in residence. The teaching staff consisted of 12 sisters of SNJM and classes were offered from grades 1 to 12. The quality of instruction was very high. Over the years, an impressive number of students chose a career in teaching as lay people or within a religious order. Among those who went to school in Sainte-Agathe are 4 generations of the Marcel Brémaud family: Marcel, Julien, Arthur, and Brett.

Following the consolidation of the school districts, the "Institut Collégial de Sainte-Agathe" opened its doors on September 24, 1961, and offered grades 9 to 12. Since 1968, grade 10 to 12 students are bussed to other high schools. Only students from kindergarden to grade 9 are taught in Sainte-Agathe.

The year 1974 marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of the arrival of the sisters of SNJM in Sainte-Agathe. The convent and land were sold to the provincial government. The convent was demolished and the "Chalet Sainte-Agathe", a 12-unit senior citizen residence, was built on the site and officially opened on September 18, 1975.

A ferry crossed the Red River at Sainte-Agathe for a period of 89 years (1871-1960). The first ferry docked at the Louis-David Nolette property in front of the church. The crossing was later moved between the Olivier residence and the Joyal store. Over the years, 7 ferries (each one larger than the previous one) transported, across the river, pedestrians, horses and buggies, farm machinery, grain trucks, and motor cars. Ferry attendants were on duty 24 hours a day.

By 1959, a bridge had been constructed. It was officially opened November 7, 1960. That day marked the last crossing of the ferry. The dignitaries were piloted by the last 2 ferry attendants, Emmanual Nolette and Léon Dorge, who had the honor of cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremonies of the new bridge. This last ferry was floated downstream to be used in Saint-Adolphe, MB, where it is now on exhibition in the park. At an official ceremony October 13, 1988, the bridge was named "Pont Louis Riel Bridge".

September 29, 1962, the Manitoba Pool grain elevator and the CNR station burned to the ground. A new elevator was immediately built, officially opened by William Parker and blessed by Father Adélard Couture.

The 3 storied brick rectory was demolished in 1962-1963. A modern residence, blessed August 18, 1963, now stands by the church.

Father Paul Deschênes was pastor from 1970 to 1973, and Father David Roy from 74 to 76.

A variety of activities marked the Sainte-Agathe centennial celebration of 1976: a mass celebrated by priests born in Sainte-Agathe, a banquet, a boîte à chansons", a mass with gregorian chant, a pioneer dinner, a picnic and fireworks, an old-time dance, choral concerts and a New Year's Eve Party.

The arena, built in 1976, is a living testimonial to past and present hockey players.

A historic monument, standing on the church 'ground, commemorates 100 years of Sainte-Agathe ae a parish. It was built of local field stones by Auguste Brémault. A Red River cart, donated by Richard Nolette, was placed on the monument.
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