L'Histoire d'Alfred
            The village of Alfred (Saint-Victor parish) was incorporated January 1st, 1852 with five elected council members;  Thomas Brady, Gédéon Gratton, John Hillman, James McGovern and William Holmes.  In 1854 the township of Alfred was founded, with the village of Alfred as it's center.  That same year the Saint-Victor parish was formed with boundaries that extended beyond the county, encompassing the western part of Longeuil county and a section of Calédonia county.

Saint-Victor Parish

            The 'chemin du télégraphe' came from Plantagenet via the sandy hillocks to the west, and led to Cassburn and l'Orignal, passing through Ritichance.  A 25ft by 25ft wooden chapel was built along this road in 1855 because as was so frequently traveled, and it was also convenient for catholics from Ritichance, Calédonia, Horse Creek, the 'crique des Atocas', and the "rang des Anglais".  At the time there were already a post office and a small inn.  The only priest in the parish was located in l'Orignal, and he rarely came to preach here during his tenure, 1854-1856.

              Afterwards, two priests from Plantagenet, Fathers Alméras and Bertrand, celebrated mass at the Alfred mission once a month.  Eleven years later (1867), Father Séraphin Philippe from Fournier would come serve mass twice a month.  This continued until 1871, when the first resident priest, Father Louis-Amable Lavoie, was assigned to the new Saint-Victor d`Alfred parish.  He did not shy away from hard labour, and with the help of local parishioners, the first stone church and presbytery was built.  The new church was inaugurated the 29th of December, 1874.  Unfortunately, the church was totally destroyed by fire on the 7th of March, 1925.  The priest at that time, Abbot Augustin Desjardins, was too ill to undertake the reconstruction and asked to be relieved of his functions.
    His replacement, Father Hermas Laniel, immediately went to work on the project, and the new temple was inaugurated the 26th of June, 1927.  Another fire destroyed the interior of the church July 15th 1944, while the parish was still paying off the debt from the prior construction.  Not to be defeated, a fundraiser was organized.  Under directions of the priest, reconstruction began, and the opening ceremonies were held the following spring on April 22nd, attended also by Mgr Joseph Charbonneau.

Education

            School section #10 was created by municipal council February 20th, 1875.  December 1st 1877 they rented the community hall at an annual cost of $12 in order to hold classes.  September 18th, 1884, the school section borrowed $2,300 at 6%  interest rate in order to build a school.  Until 1902, the school was run by layman teachers.  In 1902 the school was expanded, and at the request of Father Lombard, the "filles de la Sagesse" taught classes, for the next fifteen years.  Due to unfortunate circumstances, these teachers left the community school.  Noting the importance of maintaining a Christian influence in the children's education, Augustin Desjardins asked the "Sœurs de Sainte-Anne" in Lachine, to come to Alfred and teach.  The Sisters studied during their summer holiday in order to qualify, and taught from 1920 to 1930.

            The revered "Sœur Grises de la Croix d`Ottawa" were their successors.  With the aid of three laymen teachers, they immediately expanded the curriculum of the school by providing the two first years of high school, enabling students of the community to stay at home longer to further their education.  At that time, if one wished to continue his or her education, they had to move away from home.

 

Saint-Joseph Reform School

           The reform school "L`École industrielle Saint-Joseph d`Alfred" was founded August 1st 1933 after much time and effort of religious  and government authorities.  This was a place to rehabilitate young catholic delinquents of Eastern Ontario.  The institution comprised several stone buildings linked together by large corridors and workshops.  Only boys younger than 16 years of age were admitted, and they would be taught trained for a specific trade.  The Brotherhood was responsible for it's operations, however, funding was provided by the Ontario and Municipal Governments on a fixed "per student" basis.

 

            One of the first medical doctors to set up practice in the region was Dr. A.A. Gibeault, from Saint-Jacques-de-l`Achigan.  He established himself in Alfred after finishing his studies at "le Collège de Montréal" in 1885, having to also take Ontario provincial exams in 1890 to continue his practice.  He provided medical care for the people of Alfred and the surrounding areas for approximately 40 years.

 

          The Post Office was established in Alfred June 1st, 1855.  The village has enjoyed telephone service since 1886, a water system since 1916, and electrical services sisnce 1917.  The electrical systems was organized by Joseph Chartrand, Doué D`Aoust et Honoré Bélanger.  In 1920 it was purchased by the Municipal Commissions Office, and after a few years was sold to the Ottawa-Montréal Power Company, which had power lines passing through Hawkesbury.  To get a power line running from Hawkesbury to Alfred, the village payed $12,000.  The project was completed in 1925.  Two years later, the Ottawa-Montréal Power Company was bought out by the Gatineau-Montreal Power Company (Hydro-Québec).

 

Excerpts from the book " Histoire des Comtés Unis de Prescott et de Russell". Lucien Brault M.A., PH.D., and of the United Counties Council, L’Orignal Ont.  Printed by Le Droit, January 4th 1965.    The photographs are from the Souvenir Calendar, 125th Anniversary of the St-Victor d'Alfred Parish.