Scattered across southwest Saskatchewan are several ecclesiastical buildings, and Gravelbourg is not the only bilingual community where such buildings can be found.
Nestled in the heart of Ponteix is a quartet of catholic church buildings of historic and architectural significance that have watched the community evolve over some hundred years.
According to Canada's Historic Places, the current Notre Dame d'Auvergne Parish Church was constructed between 1928 and 1930, and was accredited as one of the "largest reinforced concrete structures" in the southwest at the time it was built.
The catholic church was the result of a lifelong mission by Father Albert Royer, who is credited with establishing Ponteix, planting seeds for a rich bilingual culture.
In addition to state-of-the-art architecture, including Romanesque Revival influences from 12th-century France, the church also houses a statue of the Virgin Mary and the Divine Son, which dates back to the 1400s.
The current church is the third to be constructed, with the first two burning down.
To the west of Notre Dame d'Auvergne Parish Church is the Convent De Notre Dame, while west of the convent sits Residence Gabriel. The same neighbourhood is also home to the Notre Dame d'Auvergne Parish Hall, which is located south of the church.
Les Auvergnois De Ponteix states that the construction of the convent began in June of 1916, and on September 11, 1916, half a dozen Sisters of Notre-Dame in Chamalieres, Auvergne, travelled to Canada to settle in Ponteix.
In 1918, Residence Gabriel, formerly Gabriel de Saint Joseph Hospital, opened its doors, playing a major role in treating the Spanish Flu in the following couple of years.
Today, Notre Dame d'Auvergne Parish Church offers bilingual Sunday masses at 11:00 a.m.
For more information, visit historicplaces.ca, check out Les Auvergnois De Ponteix's website, or head to the Town of Ponteix's website.
