Memorable Manitobans: Joseph-Azarie Senecal (1841-1917)

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Joseph-Azarie Senecal
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Architect, contractor.

Born at St. Marc, Quebec on 14 November 1841, son of Jerome Senecal, he was educated in Verchère County Public School. After farming for several years he became a contractor at Belveil. From 1874 to 1877, he owned a sash and door factory at Montreal. In 1877 he came to Baie St. Paul where he farmed for seven years. From 1884 to 1891, he farmed at St. Francois Xavier and also kept a general store. He moved from there to St. Boniface to become an architect, planning many important buildings including churches, hospitals, schools and convents.

In October 1869, he married Philomene Marie Pepin (1840-1902) and they had three children: Marie Antoinette Senecal (1870-?, wife of Henri Cusson), Georges Senecal (1876-?), and Francois Xavier Senecal (1888-1888). He was Justice of the Peace for East Marquette (1877-1880), and for eleven years for Manitoba. He was Reeve of St. Francois Xavier (1881-1884), Councillor for St. Boniface (1896), Mayor of St. Boniface (1901), and a school trustee for 29 years. He was a President of the St. Jean Baptiste Society (1901).

He died at St. Boniface on 20 March 1917 and was buried in the family tomb in the St. Boniface Cemetery.

Some of his architectural and building works in Manitoba included:

Building

Location

Year

Status

St. Francois Xavier Convent

RM of St. Francois Xavier

c1892

Burned (1915)

Ste. Anne Roman Catholic Church

162 Centrale Avenue, Ste. Anne

1895-1898

 

Convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

St. Jean Baptiste, RM of Ritchot

1897-1898

 

Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church

Selkirk Avenue, Winnipeg

1899

Demolished (1986)

Convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

St-Pierre-Jolys

1900

 

Canadian Northern Railway Station

236 Aubert Street, St. Boniface

1901

Demolished (c1962)

St. Boniface Normal School

210 rue Masson, St. Boniface

1902

 

St. Mary’s Academy

Academy Road, Winnipeg

1902

 

St. Francois Xavier Roman Catholic Church

St. Francois Xavier, RM of St. Francois Xavier

1905

 

Letellier Convent

Letellier, RM of Montcalm

c1905

 

Misericordia Hospital (expansion)

20 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg

1906-1907

 

St. Boniface Cathedral

190 Avenue de la Cathedrale, Winnipeg

1906-1908

Burned (1968)

St. Michael’s Academy

Victoria Avenue East, Brandon

1909-1910

Demolished (?)

Misericordia Hospital (expansion)

20 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg

1910-1913

 

Asile Ritchot (expansion)

35 Avenue de la Digue, Winnipeg

1911

 

Académie Saint-Joseph

321 Avenue de la Cathedrale, Winnipeg

1912

 

Excelsior Macaroni Factory and Constant House

254 Dumoulin Street, Winnipeg

1912-1913

Factory destroyed by fire (1962)

St. Boniface Hospital (Centre Wing)

409 avenue Taché, Winnipeg

1914

 

St. Boniface Waterworks

St. Boniface

?

 

Misericordia Hospital Chapel

Winnipeg

?

 

Redemptorist Convent

Elmwood, Winnipeg

?

 

See also:

Joseph-Azarie Senecal, Dictionary of Canadian Biography XIV, 921-23.

Sources:

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

“St. Michael’s day celebrated,” Brandon Sun, 7 October 1909, page 19.

Who's Who and Why, Volumes 6 and 7, 1915-1916, page 523.

“Widely known architect dead,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 March 1917.

“Would upset will made by father,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 September 1917, page 8.

“Ask court to set aside will,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 February 1921, page 4.

Birth, marriage, and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by John M. “Jack” Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.

We thank Leslie Kozma and Nathan Kramer for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 8 August 2023

Memorable Manitobans

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