History of St. Gregor

The small hamlet located along highway #5 was founded in 1902 and given the name of St. Gregor after the Benedictine Pope St. Gregory. Three years later telegraph lines and the railroad came through the area and sparked an immediate increase in population. A general store was built in 1906 to help accommodate the rising community and the following year excavation with each settler given a tariff of $10 to pay the teacher's salary.

Business started to flourish throughout the community. Different professions and trades that were expanding in the district provided better services and attract more colonists. The St. Gregor Grain Growers Association assembled a community hall in 1912 which was the setting for many public meetings and social events. Other businesses established were grain elevator, blacksmith shop, bank and station house.

St. Gregor was incorporated into a village in 1920. Soon after the construction of highway #5 and a drainage ditch was started. A new brick church was built in 1923. It was frame of 86 ft X 40 ft with a basement and a 86 foot-high tower. It is beautifully decorated with stain glass windows and a bell donated by a local family. The old church was transformed into a hall.

Despite a poor economic year in 1937 business continued to development. A new three room school was built as well as a meat locker, credit union and dance hall called the "Silver Dome."

Centralization has taken a toll on small rural communities and St. Gregor is no exception. Closure of the school and other local businesses has had an effect on the village.