Link to:
Clerics | Photos & Coordinates | Sources
From 1892 to 1906, the church was situated in the southwest quarter of 32-5-11 west of the Principal Meridian, in what is now the Municipality of Lorne. From 1906 to 1918, it was replaced by a church at Bruxelles. Finally, in 1918, the present church was constructed at the same site as its predecessor.
A plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of the St. Gerard Parish (1892-1992) was installed in recognition of Archbishop Tache of St. Boniface whose colonization efforts attracted homesteaders to this area of “La Montagne Pembina” prior to and following the establishment of Bruxelles in 1892. The Parish was so named because its first priest, Father Gustave Willems, came from the capital of Belgium and the settlers, who were mostly of Belgian origin, would be reminded of their homelead. The plaque also commemorates the 61 members of the Ursuline Order of nuns who served at Bruxelles from 1914 to 1989, providing education to local children. Their convent school was also home to students from across Manitoba.
The small Bruxelles Chapel, built in 1931 by Remi and Therese Simoens due to the recovery of their daughter Alice Hacault, was designated a municipal heritage building in September 2023.
The former church rectory next door, furnished in period decor, is used as a Bed & Breakfast.
Period
Cleric
1892-1899
Father G. Willems
1899-1947
Monseigneur H. Heynen
1947-1957
Monseigneur H. LaPointe
1957-1981
Father Gerard De Ruyck
1982-1985
Father J. P. Gagné
1985-?
Father M. Jeanneau
St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church (no date)
Source: St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church
St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church (2010)
Source: Ed Grassick
St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church and Cemetery (May 2018)
Source: George Penner
Interior of St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church (October 2019)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Interior of St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church (October 2019)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
The former St. Gerard Roman Catholic Rectory (May 2018)
Source: George Penner
St. Gerard Parish commemorative monument (August 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Bruxelles Chapel (July 2024)
Source: Rose Kuzina
Interior of the Bruxelles Chapel (July 2024)
Source: Rose KuzinaSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.48660, W98.91837
denoted by symbol on the map above
A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society, including a searchable online database available to members at the MGS Manitoba Name Index (MANI). Some additional information is contained in the 1996 MGS publication Carved in Stone: Manitoba Cemeteries and Burial Sites, revised edition, Special Projects Publication, 106 pages.
We thank Louise Carels, George Penner, Ed Grassick, and Rose Kuzina for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 9 August 2024
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