The English-Speaking Community

12 Préfontaine Street West
……….

The English-speaking Protestant community grew rapidly after the arrival of the railroad in 1892. At first, religious services were held in private homes or in the Castel des Monts hotel, but in 1897, through group efforts, land was acquired to build a church. Richard Wilson-Smith, then Mayor of Montreal and a regular visitor to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, donated a dwelling that was dismantled and rebuilt on its new site to become the first church.

That church served the Anglican community from 1899 to 1925. In 1911, it was moved across the street to the land on which the current church stands.

To better serve the needs of the congregation, a new church was built thanks to funds raised among Anglo cottagers of the time. In 1926, the Lord Bishop of the Anglican Church of Montreal presided over the consecration of the new house of worship, which still stands on Préfontaine Street.

The original church, located behind the new one, served as the community hall until 1965. The presbytery, which architect Harold Lea Featherstonhaugh designed in the same Arts and Crafts style as the church, was built in 1930. Sainte-Agathe’s English-speaking community continued to grow, and parishioners continue to worship at Holy Trinity today.

PHOTOS
(1) The original site (1899–1911) on Albert Street, corner of Tour-du-Lac.
(2) The 1925 church on the site it still occupies today, on Préfontaine Street.

Corner of Chemin du Tour-du-Lac and Préfontaine Street
……….

This park is named for the man who donated the land for it. The adjacent house belonged to lawyer Maurice Demers, who had his office there for many years. He gave part of his property to the town so that this public space could be created. Demers was well known for helping the neediest members of society. He owned many rental properties, which he would lease to tenants who were less well off. He was extremely involved in the community, and very influential.

Why not take a few moments to relax in the park and admire the attractive view of Lac des Sables, while listening to the song in the accompanying video.

HISTORICAL PANELS NEARBY (in French)
“De fortes racines anglophones”
“L’apport précieux de la communauté juive”

Chorus
À Sainte-Agathe, aux eaux limpides,
On voit accourir la cité.
C’est le joyau des Laurentides,
Le paradis de la santé.
À Sainte-Agathe, on rit, on chante,
Tous de son flot sont amoureux.
Dans son miroir tout nous enchante,
À Sainte-Agathe on est heureux.

(In Sainte-Agathe, with clear waters,
You can see the city running.
It is the jewel of the Laurentians,
A paradise of health.
At Sainte-Agathe, we laugh, we sing,
Everyone in his stream is in love.
In her mirror everything enchants us,
At Sainte-Agathe we're happy.)

1st verse
À Sainte-Agathe, à ce que dit l’histoire,
Quand le soleil pour la première fois,
Sur la forêt et le lac qu’elle moire,
Du vieux clocher, fit scintiller la croix.
Il fut promis que l’humble territoire,
Serait, un jour, le plus gai des endroits.

(In Sainte-Agathe, according to history,
When the sun for the first time,
About the forest and the lake she misses,
From the old bell tower, made the cross sparkle.
It was promised that the humble territory..,
Would, one day, be the gayest place.)

2nd verse
À Sainte-Agathe, à l’ombre de l’église,
S’est répandu le bienfait du progrès,
Grâce à l’ardeur et l’esprit d’entreprise,
De nos pasteurs, à marcher toujours prêts.
Voilà pourquoi nous avons pour devise :
«Rendez au prêtre hommage et respect».

(At Sainte-Agathe, in the shadow of the church..,
The benefits of progress have spread,
Thanks to the enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit,
From our pastors, always walking ready.
That's why our motto is:
"Pay homage and respect to the priest".)

3rd verse
À Sainte-Agathe à l’origine fière,
On garde encore le culte du sillon.
Heureux pays où palais et chaumières,
Vivent voisins dans le riant vallon.
La châtelaine admire la fermière,
Et le magnat regarde le colon.

(To Sainte-Agathe originally proud,
We still keep the cult of the furrow.
Happy country where palaces and thatched cottages,
Live next door in the laughing dale.
The lady of the castle admires the farmer's wife,
And the tycoon looks at the colon.)

Words: Edmond Grignon, based on a text by Joseph-Jérôme Grignon
Music: J.P. Riopelle
(Translated with the free version of www.DeepL.com/Translator)