Historic Sites of Manitoba: Charlebois Heritage Museum (108 First Street West, The Pas)

This small log building, constructed in 1897 by cleric Ovide Charlebois, was the first Roman Catholic church in Manitoba’s north. It became a base from which Charlebois undertook pioneering missionary work among the region’s Indigenous peoples. Built using logs floated down the Saskatchewan River from Cumberland House, and glass and shingles brought from Prince Albert (North West Territories, now Saskatchewan), the structure was replaced by a new church building in 1922.

The former chapel, now a local museum, has been refurbished as part of the Manitoba Prairie Churches project. It is a municipally-designated heritage building (2005).

Charlebois Heritage Museum (July 2012) Source: Alan Mason Charlebois Heritage Museum (September 2023) Source: Glen Toews Interior of the Charlebois Heritage Museum (September 2023) Source: Glen Toews Site Coordinates (lat/long): N53.82810, W101.25209 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral (28 First Street West, The Pas)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Prairie Churches Project / Manitoba Prairie Icons Project

Sources:

Charlebois Chapel, 108 First Street West, The Pas, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.

We thank Myra Goldstrand and Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Alan Mason and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 29 October 2023

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