1882-1935

Father Arthur Magnan was the first missionary pastor of the Gravelbourg and Ferland Parish. He was born in Chamblay Bassin on January 29, 1882. Father Magnan completed his studies at the Collège de l’Assomption. He was ordained priest at Saint-Gabriel by Bishop Racicot on August 12, 1906. Father Magnan left immediately for the West and was assigned as curate for the Parish of Oak Lake and soon after Laurier, Manitoba.

Most Reverend Archbishop Adélard Langevin O.M.I., Archbishop of Saint Boniface, requested Father Magnan to act as missionary-priest for the newly founded town of Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. He arrived in Gravelbourg on September 8, 1907, and immediately began laying foundations for a new parish. Upon arrival, Father Magnan celebrated mass under a tent obtained from the government by Father Gravel. When winter was near, he celebrated mass in the homes of Albert Lagassé, Charles LeMoine, Édouard Gauthier and Charles Archambault. Father Magnan resided a few months with the family of Albert Gauthier and then spent the remaining winter months with Charles LeMoine (1907-1908).

Father Magnan, completely devoted to his parishoners, initiated plans for the first Gravelbourg chapel house (Maison Blanche). In 1914, he built a new rectory. Being good-hearted, he lent it to the Sisters of Jesus and Mary for their first year in Gravelbourg. Father Magnan joined the parishioners in the planification of the future cathedral, but resigned as Parish Priest during the month of October, 1917. After ten years of dedication, His Excellency Archbishop Olivier-Elzéar Mathieu sent Father Magnan to Ferland to found another parish. In 1925, he went to Wauchope where he stayed less than a year and then was transferred to St.Victor. Father Arthur Magnan was pastor of the St.Victor Parish until his death on February 16, 1935.