Description of Historic Place

The St. Antoine de Padoue Rectory is located at the Batoche National Historic Site of Canada. It is an austere, two-storey, rectangular structure with a gabled roof and weatherboard cladding. The exterior is plain, relieved only by the pattern of regularly spaced windows along the side elevations. A small, pitched-roof porch protects the gable end entrance. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The St. Antoine de Padoue Rectory is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The St. Antoine de Padoue Rectory is very closely associated with the cultural heritage of the Métis population, and with the clash of the Métis and white cultures, which resulted in the 1885 Rebellion. It is also associated with the early activities and influence of the Oblate order that was the dominant Roman Catholic order throughout the northwest of Canada. The structure has a general association with Louis Riel and his Métis council, and Major/General Frederick Middleton and the Northwest Field Force, who played significant parts in the Battle of Batoche. The erection of the St. Antoine de Padoue Rectory and Church marked a significant stage in the development of Batoche as a community.

Architectural Value:
The St. Antoine de Padoue Rectory is valued for its good aesthetic qualities. It is an example of Red River frame construction, a technique that consists of logs laid horizontally and slotted into grooved vertical timbers at each end. The use of the ground floor space as a waiting area, a combined kitchen and dining room, and as accommodation for the priest speaks to its very good functional design. The second storey was also multi-functional and accommodates the Bishop’s bedroom, the post office, Father Moulin’s two-room living quarters and a chapel. The building exhibits good craftsmanship.

Environmental Value:
The St. Antoine de Padoue Rectory reinforces the historic character of Batoche National Historic Site and is a familiar to staff and visitors at the site.

Sources:
Shannon Ricketts, Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Rectory and Church Batoche National Historic Park, Batoche, Saskatchewan, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 88-160; Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Rectory, Batoche National Historic Site, Batoche Saskatchewan, Heritage Character Statement 88-160.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Rectory should be respected.

Its good aesthetic and simple, functional design and good craftsmanship and materials as evidenced in: the simple, rectangular form and two storey massing of the functional structure; the simple façade with end gable entrance and small storm porch; the Red River framing consisting of walls constructed of locally available materials, logs laid horizontally, and slotted into vertical timbers at each corner, and the weatherboard siding.

The manner in which the St. Antoine de Padoue Rectory reinforces the historic character of its Batoche National Historic Site setting and is a familiar, local landmark, as evidenced by: its overall design and materials that harmonize with the historic setting; its role as an important component of the surviving structures at the Batoche National Historic Site complex that makes it familiar to locals and visitors.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Rectory was erected by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1883. The design for the rectory was initiated by Father Moulin and built by Ludger Gareau. The building is now part of Batoche National Historic Site and is the property of Environment Canada Parks Service. See FHBRO Building Report 88-160.


Reasons for Designation

The Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Rectory was designated Recognized because of its historical association, its architectural significance and its environmental value.

The Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Rectory and Church are symbols of the cultural heritage of the Métis population. They represent two historical themes: the early activities and influence of the Oblate order - the dominant Roman Catholic order in the Northwest; and the clash of Métis and white cultures which resulted in the 1885 Rebellion. The buildings are directly associated with people such as Louis Riel and his Métis council, and Major/General Frederick Middleton and the Northwest Field Force, who played significant parts in the Battle of Batoche.

The rectory is an example of Red River frame construction. This technique consists of logs laid horizontally, pièce sur pièce, and slotted into grooved vertical timbers at each end. The building was restored by the Canadian Parks Service to its 1896-1897 appearance.

The Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Rectory and Church dominate their surroundings and set the tone for the Batoche National Historic Site.


Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the rectory resides in the 1896-1897 restored building, its simple massing and proportions, its construction technique and materials, and in its interior layout and finishes.

The simple yet pleasing proportions of the two-storey rectangular structure with a pitched roof and small storm-porch entrance on the south gable end should not be marred by any new additions. The weather-boarded exterior is plain, relieved only by the pattern of regularly spaced double-hung six over six windows along the side elevations. The ground floor is organized as a waiting area, combined kitchen and dining room and a three-room, priest's suite. A staircase in the southwest corner leads to the second storey, which accommodates a bedroom for the Bishop, the post office, Father Moulin's two-room living quarters and a chapel. This 1896-1897 restoration of the interior layout and finishes should be maintained.

The Red River framing system and the mortise and tenon method of holding the horizontal timbers should be carefully preserved.

All maintenance activities and any new work should respect the spirit of the 1896-1897 restored building.

The site of the rectory, also restored to its 1896-1897 appearance, should be carefully preserved. Any new secondary building on the site should not detract from the historic setting.