Like Pulcherrima Rosa this piece was also recorded in the church by the Calgary Renaissance Singers and Players. What makes this piece special is that it was written by a woman, an Ursuline Nun whose music was innovative and expressive. Composed during a time when the role of women was significantly repressed, Isabella Leonarda created some truely amazing works.

The Calgary Renaissance Singers and Players recorded a few songs in the church the summer of 2009 of which Pulcherima Rosa was one of the selections recorded. While the video of the church interior is poor, the sound is good. In spite of the good sound quality of the recording, to really experience how amazing the acoustics of this church are, one has to be there and experience the sound.

Construction of the church started in August of 1928 and things were finally moving forward to the delight of all the parishoners. On May 24th of 1929 a cyclone ripped through the town of Pontiex and destroyed much of what had been built including completely destroying the arched dome – at that time the ceiling of the church was considered to be an advanced design. Sadly insurance did not cover cyclone damage unless the roof was complete.     The result of what must have been a heart-breaking sight for both the people of the community and the construction workers resulted in a few key ripple effects. The decision was quickly made to clean up and carry on with the construction in spite of the considerable cost to do so. As a result the church was now behind schedule by a year. At the time many had hoped that the church would be designated as a Cathedral, due to the significant number of Catholics in the area, there was a real need to establish a bishopric in the region. With the significant delay caused by the cyclone damage, the dream of the church becoming a Cathedral and of there being a diocese of Pontiex, died when the Vatican announced (a full year before Notre Dame was completed) the  creation of the Diocese of Gravelbourg.

     Sadly this was not the only disappointing result of the cyclone. In the original drawings there were plans to place a pipe organ in the church. A considerable amount of space in the choir loft was to have been dedicated to the construction of an organ. When one sees the church and realizes that there was to have been such an instrument one can’t help but imagine what it would have looked like, how many pipes it would have had, and how amazing it would have sounded. These instruments however are of considerable expense and when the need to cover the damage arose, the organ was likely the first casualty. Today the church still waits to embrace a pipe organ. How amazing it would sound!!!!!!

   The people of Pontiex however were and are very resourceful and while there has never been an actual pipe organ, one of the first organs to assist in leading the congregation in song was, surprisingly, a small pump organ. Even though the pump organ in significantly smaller then a pipe organ the acoustics of the church insured that even this small instrument could fill the space with sacred song. 

 Surprisingly this small pump organ is still, for the most part, in working condition. While still functioning, it is easy to tell that this little instrument was put to good use. Today this organ is hidden away in a small room perhaps resting in the hope that one day it will be able to sing praise in the church.

    One of the other lasting effects of the cyclone is the fact that many of the people who grew up there will tell you that the church has been built to last.

The acoustics of Notre Dame d’Auvergne are spectacular! The church seems to almost have a voice of its own able to sing back to any musician lucky enough to make music in this beautiful sanctuary.  A single note sung by a singer or played by an instrument echos, flying around the church for close to four seconds. This quality is ideal for much of the sacred music that was sung when the magnificent centerpiece of the church, the Pieta, was first carved during the renaissance. Indeed the architecture of the church – that reminds one of the magnificent historical churches of Europe – contributes to the amazing affect when the space is filled with music. To hear the church come alive with music, those lucky enough to live close by or who are in the area on May 23rd at 7:00pm, have the opportunity to hear a free concert of Sacred Choral Music. The concert titled Gloria will feature a wide variety of sacred music styles including works from the renaissance through to the most recent work composed last year for the celebration of the parishes 100th anniversary.

The words “Mon Ame Glorifie Le Seigneur” which adorn the arch of the sanctuary leave no doubt as to the purpose of this structure as a sacred space. The words translated as “My Soul Glorifies the Lord” seem to personify the structure as a whole, as if the building itself is speaking of it’s own purpose.

In the sanctuary of the church there are six statued saints that keep a watchful vigil, welcoming all those who enter the church. These statues are beautiful works of art, each with its own place and purpose not only in the church but in the lives of the people who live in Ponteix. 

St. John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of French-Speaking Canada, is a symbolic reminder of the communities French heritage. This history began with Fr. Royer and the many French families who settled in the area. The town, Ponteix, even gets its name from the parish in France where Fr. Royer once lived. 

In this statue St. John holds a cross to foretell of the death of Christ; the Lamb of God who sits at his feet.

Situated above the tabernacle are the statues of St. Joseph and Jesus. To the left of the tabernacle is St. Joseph, the patron of Canada, who holds the Christ Child in his arms. To the right is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

St. Anne

On the other side of the church situated above the Baptismal Font is the statue of St. Anne. Standing next to her daughter Mary seen here as a child. “This mother-daughter replica was a gift from Les Dames de Ste. Anne, a past women’s organization in the Parish.”

Again, we see the heavy French heritage of the region in the person of St. Anne who is the patron Saint of  Quebec and Brittany, as well as women in labor.

St. Anthony (Antoine)

St. Anthony, who also is situated above the Baptismal Font, was donated in 1927 to mark the ordination of Fr. Antoine Poirier. Fr. Poirier was the first priest to be ordained in Ponteix, however, his ordination had to take place in the Parish Hall.

After the previous church had burnt down the parish hall was built before the current church. As a result, the hall was used for church services while construction of the current church progressed.

St. Isidore

Finally we come around to St. Isidore the Farmer. St. Isidore speaks to the rural and agricultural heritage that to this day governs life in the region. St. Isidore was know for his compassion and care for the poor as well as his  great devotion to God. The legend of St. Isidore says that he attended mass everyday and even at work in the feilds he would pray, but his work never suffered. It was said that angels would help him plough the fields so that he was able to produce more then his share.

  St. Isidore is seen here holding a spade for working the soil, and in his arms and at his feet are sheaves of wheat.

This statue of the Pieta is the focal point of the church, holding a special place of honour within the sanctuary. The history of the statue itself is one clouded in mystery, and there is much speculation surrounding its origin. The following is taken from a booklet detailing the parishes history.

“Having definitely chosen, in his explorations of 1907, a site for the location of his future parish, Father A. Royer returned to France with the intention of bringing settlers back with him. Canon Teytard, the pastor of Aubiere, near Clemont-Ferrand, in answer to his request replied in a similar manner:

“my dear Father, I cannot give you settlers, but since you are establishing  parish in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary, I wish to offer you a statue of Mary. You may choose between these two:”

One of these statues was a rather recent replica of Mary made of beautiful Italian marble, while the other was a wooden “Pieta” dating to the 15th century. A marble statue, beautiful as it was, could always be replaced by an even more beautiful one…but a statue whose worm-eaten wood itself certifies its great age, displays a venerable charm which the marvels of modern sculpture could never equal. Was it not to the oldest statues that the pilgrims would crowd and where they obtained the greatest favors? All things considered, it was an esy choice. Father Royer would choose The Pieta.” 

The actual dating of the statue is unknown however an expert on church art from Quebec has speculated that the statue likely dates from the 17th or 18th century due to what he views as the statue’s “baroque-style”. 

In any event the statue is a beautiful historic piece of art and holds a special place in the history of the parishes that have born the name Notre Dame D’Auvergne. Check back for more about the history of this centuries old statue.

This Blog is devoted to Notre Dame D’Auvergne a beautiful church located in the small town of Ponteix, Sask. in Canada. The church rises out of the prairie landscape and can be seen from miles away even before one realize that a small town surrounds it.  A anomaly within  its small town setting, this sacred gem – all but hidden from the world – is a wonder to behold. This blog will tell the story of how it came to be and detail the artifacts and the beauty within its walls.

  Ponteix is a small mainly farming oriented community located in southern Saskatchewan. In spite of its rather quiet appearance the town of Pontiex has a few claims to fame, not the least of which is the church pictured above. Due to the recent boom in Saskatchewan the town appears to be enjoying a slight increase in population, however, after years of decline it has a long way to go to reclaim the vibrance of the past. A past that saw the community rallied to build one of the most impressive churches in Canada.

      Off of the beaten path and definitely not listed as one of the countries top 10 tourist destinations, it is hoped that this blog will provide the online tourist a opportunity to see the church from the comfort of your own home, but if you happen to be in the area, see if you can find Ponteix on the map, and if you can go there, plan on spending at least a couple of hours touring the church.

Inside the church, a view from the loft