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St. Louis Parish
by Louise Ladouceur
| The
first Bonnyville Church |
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Seventy five years have gone
by since that memorable night when three valiant explorers
decided to make their way to this magnificent region that
would eventually become Bonnyville. However, in 1907 there
was no Bonnyville nor the slightest trace of a Bonnyville.
It was a vast stretch of beautiful lakes, wooded hills and
fertile valleys.
If we glance back into the past as far as 1896, we will
note that Father Adéodat Thérien, Oblate of
Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.), instigated by the legendary Father
Lacombe, o.m.i., "the great hearted man", took
up the task of protecting and helping the Metis to settle
in the region. The missionary pleaded for federal government
assistance and was granted a vast stretch of land where
game was plentiful and where lakes abounded with fish. At
this time the territory bordering the colony was not yet
surveyed and Father Therien would rather not have it staked.
In 1906 he seriously doubted of the settlement's survival
so he insisted that the government in Ottawa make the desired
survey, for he dreamt of settling the region between the
Saskatchewan River at Brosseau as far as Cold Lake with
French Canadian Catholics. In fact, his dream became a reality
since in 1907 the first pioneers to claim homesteads in
the vicinity of Moose Lake were all of French origin.
| The
second St. Louis Church |
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Bonnyville's religious history
is as old as its local history, for as Mr. Albert Dargis,
this good Christian often said, "On our arrival in
Moose Lake territory we walked in the trails marked out
by our missionaries."
The first church was built of logs in 1908 and located a
little to the south of where now stands Duclos Hospital.
Father Le Goff, o.m.i., missionary at St. Raphael Mission,
Cold Lake, would come from time to time to celebrate the
Eucharist. All the pioneers attended the celebration with
ardent fervor; it was characteristic of this heroic period
of colonisation.
In all fairness let us pay tribute to these brave women
who shared with their husbands the hard time of frontier
days. "The part played by these first women in the
area is one which would take a book in itself, but it can
be stated here that the men found in their companions, not
only moral support, but helpers without which much of their
work could not have been done." (The History of Bonnyville
Considered in Its Relation to the History of the Canadian
West by Roger Motut 1951).
As early as 1908 the settlement's progress was already quite
obvious. Some outstanding events were passed on by word
of mouth and make up part of Bonnyville's history or were
recorded in parish registers or reports. The incidents
listed should be of interest to the majority of our
readers.
Recalls Fr. Bonny's Past
by Sidney G. Bruce
We were practically twins in New York, same birthday, same
school, college and university, and the same LLD degrees.
Then we joined the army together. In no time he was ahead
of me with a higher rank.
| Father
F. E. Bonny |
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We had a gift for foreign languages and his hobbies were
archaeology and topography. Before our military life, we
wandered in Asia in quest of relics and because of his love
of archaeology. The army was a welcome relief. My friend
was sent in command of a special unit which in case of war
emergency, was to lay out a topographical road from southeast
of Tunis to Dakar in West Africa. One night in the Sahara
Desert while trying to reach Tagmont oasis, his unit ran
out of water and food and were trapped. Badly wounded, he
was one of six survivors. While recovering in a mission
post of the White Fathers, he suddenly decided to forego
life in the military to be a missionary and explorer. He
was ordained a priest in the cathedral of Carthage. From
there Father Bonny journeyed to the wild jungles between
Victoria Lake and Tanganika, all now civilized.
The Rev. Father Francis Bonny authored three books published
in French: "In the Unknown", "African Countries"
and "My Several Lives". One of his books is printed
in Arabic, "Sidna Aissa" or "Jesus Christ".
When I asked why he doesn't want these books printed in
English, he answered, "Sid, we Americans in general
do not believe at first sight. My life was hard and unusual.
I myself would not believe what I say and write if I had
not done it myself."
Rev. Fr. Durocher
La Survivance, Wednesday, February 9, 1949
| Rev.
G. E. Durocher O.M.I. |
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The Bonnyville Parish had an impressive ceremony as Rev.
Father Georges-Etienne Durocher O.M.I. was ordained by His
Ex. Bishop Boudoux, Bishop of St. Paul. In attendance were
Father Gaudet, superior of College St. Jean; Father Lassonde,
Abbé Tardif, and Father Michaud from St. Paul; and
priest Lerouge directed the singing. Abbé J. E. Lapointe,
former Bonnyville Parish priest escorted the new priest.
A banquet was served in the school basement and catered
by the Ladies of the parish. The Sisters of Assumption and
their students were responsible for the decorations. Miss
Clementine Poitras had artistically added Bishop Boudoux's
coat of arms to the decorations. She also suitably decorated
the 4 layered cake baked by the new priest's mother.
The parish showed its generosity by offering Father Durocher
numerous gifts. A dramatic evening followed, ending with
a touching address by the new priest.
Rev. Father Durocher was born in Bonnyville, August 31,
1923. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philias Durocher who
have resided in the parish for 26 years. He did his studies
in College St. Jean, Edmonton and Sacred Heart Scholasticate
in Lebret, Saskatchewan, to which he is returning to complete
his theology before commencing his ministry.
Father Lapointe 25th Anniversary of Priesthood
June 28, 1936 by J. Nap. Vallée
Representing the people of Bonnyville, it gives me great
pleasure to offer my sincere congratulations to our venerable
pastor Rev. Fr. Lapointe on the occasion of his 25th anniversary
of priesthood. We offer our fervent prayers asking God to
grant him a happy and restful time with his family and return
for many more years in our midst.
| Father
J. E. Lapointe |
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He has been in this area from
the beginning, namely Ste. Lina, Bonnyville and Beaumont.
The Bonnyville parishioners are indebted to him for the
many duties he willingly performed while our parish priest.
In his three parishes he was always very devoted to his
duties and he was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
Now, after a successful and fruitful apostolate he will
have a much deserved rest. May God grant him health, happiness
and many more years among us (when he returns). (I thank
you).
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