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Old Vegreville 130th Anniversary Celebration
Old Vegreville 130th Anniversary Celebration
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Sixty-seven attendees experienced a simpler time while reconnecting with friends and family at Old Vegreville School on July 13.
The Old Vegreville Social Society (OVSS) Executive hosted this event which offered blessings of the Old Vegreville Cemetery, a brief formal program and hearty lunch catered by RMD’s Food Services.
Former student Rolland Benoit mentioned when he first started school here, he couldn’t speak English as he only spoke French. Hence, an older student, Rosanna Plouffe took him under her wing and helped him learn English.
Elaine Lowe, also a former student, recalled having the same teacher, Mrs. Tierney from Grades One to Eight who was an amazing person. “She taught us so many life skills. We learned to do gardening and more. “
Alan Robert, a long-time OVSS member compiled and read the history. He stated that, Vegreville was named after Father Valentin Vegreville OMI (1829-1903). The first pioneers and families arrived in April 1894.
On July 5, 1894, the first school on this spot was opened. The school was called the Independent Catholic School. The original log school burned down and this rural school was built to replace it in 1938.
This school operated into the 1950s. Since then, this school and OVSS have been serving to promote the history and harmony that has confirmed this location as the garden of the Vermilion River Valley.
A log church was built just south of these school grounds (a long building with a sod roof) and a cemetery was created on the hill to the east. The cemetery fell into disarray for 80 years before restoration and licensing in 1987.
