Gravelbourg Convent

Home / Explore / Historic Sites

Location

Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan

Why it matters

The Convent of Jesus and Mary (also known as the Gravelbourg Elementary School), in the small southwestern Saskatchewan town of Gravelbourg (pop. 1,000), operated as an education facility from 1918–2015 and a community space from 2016–2023. In 1995, it was recognized as part of the Gravelbourg Ecclesiastical Buildings National Historic Site of Canada, a designation that also includes the Cathedral and Bishop’s Residence.

Constructed between 1917 and 1927, the heritage value of the large (90,000 sq ft), 4-storey structure lies in both its architectural excellence and its historical associations. Designed by the distinguished French-Canadian architect J.E. (Joseph) Fortin, the building exemplifies Classical Revival design (with French-Canadian and Baroque influences) in its monumental proportions and is crafted from regionally sourced Claybank brick and Tyndall Stone. The convent is an important historical marker of French settlement in western Canada. Over the years, it operated as a non-denominational public school, girls’ boarding school, and convent, while also serving as a hub of learning and religious instruction for the surrounding region.

Your history. Your inbox.

With 7 uniquely curated newsletters to choose from, we have something for everyone.

Why it’s endangered

When the Gravelbourg Elementary School, which took over operation of the facility in 1971, moved to a new building in 2016, the Town of Gravelbourg agreed to become the owner of the building while working to turn it into an assisted living complex. Despite the substantial efforts of municipal staff and community volunteers, the project eventually faltered due to funding roadblocks and the disruption of the COVID pandemic. From 2016-2023, the former first floor of the convent was well utilized as a community space and rented out to artists, non-profit organizations, and small businesses. In 2023, the Town evicted the tenants and closed the convent to the public due to high heating and maintenance costs.

In December 2022 the convent suffered significant vandalism with light fixtures, doors, and religious statuary destroyed. Despite the Town’s efforts to secure the building, it remains vulnerable to break-ins due to its age and vast size. The convent has been vacant and without heat or water/sewer since April 2023, and there is growing evidence of deterioration — crumbling plaster, buckled flooring, cracks in the walls — and water damage. There is still community support for saving this impressive landmark, and there is belief it would make an exceptional assisted/retirement living facility, rental accommodation, artistic retreat, hospitality accommodations, or other mixed-use space. In January 2023, the Town released a call for Expressions of Interest for the adaptive re-use of the convent, but unfortunately no proposals were submitted.

This article is also available in French.

Canada's Top 10 Endangered Places List 2024

Église Sainte-Marie

Beyond its exceptional architectural significance, the monumental church has profound cultural heritage significance for community members.

Militia Arms Store

Erected in 1832, the modest two-storey Georgian-style Militia Arms Store building is the only surviving wooden structure in the Fredericton Military Compound National Historic Site of Canada.

Canada's Chinatowns

Canada’s Chinatowns are not museums, they are vibrant communities bringing together people, culture, histories, and practice in richly layered urban heritage areas.

Canada Malting Co. Limited

Built in 1905, the Canada Malting Co. Ltd plant was the largest malting facility in Canada by the mid-20th century and the second largest in North America, processing barley into malt largely for the brewing industry.

Building 200

Canada is the only G7 country without laws to protect heritage places owned by the federal government.

Centennial Museums

Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is climate action, and Canada needs provincial-territorial and municipal governments to develop expertise and vision to actively transition these long-cherished public assets.

Historic Bridges

While a small number of historic bridges see upgrades to extend their lives to 2100, most are prematurely declared obsolete.

Historic Places of Faith

While these landmark buildings are often rich with cultural heritage value and beautifully constructed, they also typically provide valuable “third spaces” for non-profit and community groups.

Every year, the National Trust for Canada publishes its Endangered Places List as part of its mission to bring people together to care for and promote heritage places.

The National Trust Endangered Places List is compiled from reports and news items the National Trust has been following throughout the year. First published in 2005, the National Trust Endangered Places List has become a powerful tool in the fight to make landmarks, not landfill.

The National Trust believes that heritage places are a catalyst for sustainable, livable, lovable communities, yet every year, more are lost due to factors like neglect, lack of funding, and weak legislation. By shining a spotlight on places at risk, the Endangered Places List raises awareness and bolsters the efforts of local heritage groups working to save them.