The property called Parc Richelieu Vanier since 1978 belonged in the past to the Society of Missionaries of Africa. These priests were well known as the “White Fathers”. The community was founded in 1868 by Mgr Charles Lavigerie, Archbishop of Algiers. The missionaries’ nickname came from the white dress they were wearing, which was part of the North-African clothing tradition.
They built an important scholasticate on the site of the Parc Richelieu Vanier. As the picture reveals, it was an imposing building, and of course interesting from an architectural angle. Unfortunately, it has been razed to the ground and, nowadays, the only memories reminding us of the past presence of the White Fathers on the territory remain the building of Vanier’s Public Library, the former chapel of the Missionaries of Africa, a statue of the Virgin Mary and the name of the street that leads to the park.
However, the community still exists in Ottawa and there are now about 1700 missionaries in Africa.
Main building of the Scholasticate in 1977 prior to its demolition.
Muséoparc Vanier Museopark, Paul-Pagé collection
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Demolition in 1977 by the city of Vanier of the main building of the Scholasticate of
the White Fathers.
Muséoparc Vanier Museopark, Paul-Pagé collection
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Statue of the Virgin Mary at the entrance of the park. Muséoparc Vanier Museopark.
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