Morinville is 30 km north of Edmonton on Highway 2. With a population of 6,255, Morinville is a healthy business and residential community close to both St. Albert and Edmonton. The town is the municipal and commercial centre of the Municipal District of Sturgeon. Morinville has strong Francophone roots and has evolved into a strong, independent multi-cultural community. The settlement history of Morinville began In 1890, with Abbé Morin. Under the supervision of Monseigneur Grandin, he was presented the task to encourage Roman Catholic people from Eastern Canada to settle in the area. In the spring of 1891 the first contingent of Francophones, from eastern Canada, and German settlers from the United States arrived.In 1892 the "colony" established a small post office and named it, and the associated settlement Morinville, after Father Morin. On October 15th, 1891, land was selected and the first Chapel was established. Construction on Morinville's second church began on October 23,1893. It was constructed of hewn timber, and this building served as Morinville's church until 1908. In 1905 the railway arrived making Morinville a gateway to the north. In 1911, Morinville was incorporated as a town. On August 7, 1920, a massive fire destroyed an entire area of business section on Main Street and led to the formation of a fire brigade. 1973 saw complete renovation and restoration of the church, rectory and cemetery under the stewardship of Father Primeau with a Provincial Government sponsored program. On September 16th, 1974 the church and rectory were declared to be the first officially designated Historic Sites in the Province of Alberta. Today, Morinville has a population of over 6,500 residents and it's land mass covers just over 11 square kilometers. |