Churchbridge, Saskatchewan

Churchbridge
Churchbridge
Coordinates: 50°53′51″N 101°53′13″W
Country	Canada
Province	Saskatchewan
Rural Municipality	Churchbridge No. 211, Saskatchewan
Post office, NWT	April 1, 1889
Village Incoporporated	1903
Town incorporated	1964
Government
• Mayor	Jim Gallant
• Federal Electoral District M.P.	Garry Breitkreuz
• provincial electoral districts M.L.A.	Bob Bjornerud
Area
• Total	2.76 km2 (1.07 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	743
• Density	269.2/km2 (697/sq mi)
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
Postal code	S0A 0M0
Area code(s)	306
Website	http://www.churchbridge.com/

Churchbridge is a Canadian town in the province of Saskatchewan, located at the junction of the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16), and Highway 80. Churchbridge is a part of the rural municipality of Churchbridge No. 211, Saskatchewan, which is located within Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities SARM Division No. 1 and Census Division No. 5, Saskatchewan.

History

Churchbridge began with the arrival of settlers from the Anglican Colonization Society, with director and missionary Rev. Robert Bridger.

In 1887, the society combined the word " church" from the name of the society, and the name "bridge" in recognition of Rev. Robert Bridger, one of the prominent directors, to name the new settlement "Churchbridge".

The village of Churchbridge was incorporated in 1903 with James Heasman as the overseer. He was solely responsible for the affairs of the Village. There was no council, but M. Thorlakson and A.O. Berger, both hotel keepers, were trustees, which meant they made themselves responsible for the honesty and integrity of the overseer in his financial duties. In 1962, there were 260 people residing the village, and by 1964, the population had risen to 600. The village became a town in 1964.

Geography

Churchbridge is located North of Big Cut Arm Creek and Deer Creek which drain into the Assiniboine River.

Demographics

• Lat (DMS) 50° 54' 00" N
• Long (DMS) 101° 54' 00" W
• Dominion Land Survey Section. 17, Township 22, Range 32, West of the 1st Meridian
• Time zone (cst) UTC−6

Economy

Churchbridge is a community with an excellent location along Highway 16 for business. The Mosaic Potash mines to the south of employ many of the residents of Churchbridge and surrounding area, including nearby towns Esterhazy, SK, Langenburg, SK, and Bredenbury, SK.

Amenities

Over the years Churchbridge has grown. The community has a school (Churchbridge Public School), a library (Parkland Regional Library - Churchbridge Branch), a fire department (Churchbridge Fire Department), a daycare (Churchbridge Daycare), and recreation facilities (including a new swimming pool).

Sites of interest

Sites of interest in the town include the 125th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation Coin Monument, Veteran’s Memorial Wall, Photo Archives and the many Heritage Murals displayed throughout the community. These displays of art were created by local artists to help commemorate various events, as well as to honor former residents (see Notable People, below).

Camping:

Duck Mountain Regional Park is located north on Highway 80; Asessippi Ski Resort and Lake of the Prairies is located just east on Highway 16.

Churchbridge Campground is located south of the junction of Highway 16 and 80. The campground offers 33 Sites - 29 electrified, pull through sites, grass covered sites for tents, sewer dump, washroom and shower facility. Across the road is a picnic area, swimming pool, playground and ball diamonds.

Located within a travelling distance of 15 km (20 mi) is the Langenburg Recreation Site.

The Saltcoats Game Preserve is within 19 km (12 mi).

Transportation

Churchbridge Airport supplies limited air service to this Saskatchewan town. The main mode of transportation would be via Saskatchewan Highway 16, the Yellowhead Route, and to a lesser extent via the North/South secondary highway, Saskatchewan Highway 80.

As of the early 1900s, Churchbridge was a part of the Minnedosa, Saskatoon, Edmonton Section of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Publications

Local history and family biography book written for the province's 75th anniversary is entitled:

The first hundred years: around Churchbridge, 1880-1980 Author, Ruth Swanson and the Churchbridge History Committee. Published Churchbridge, Sask.: Churchbridge History Committee, 1980 Other Auth ISBN 0889251657

Media

Bredenbury, Churchbridge, Langenburg, and Saltcoats are all served by The Four-Town Journal.

Notable people

• Dr. W.G. McKenzie was a family physician for the area from 1898 to 1976.
• Lionel G. Heinrich, professional Canadian ice hockey player.

• Kevin S. Kaminski, professional Canadian ice hockey player.

See also

• List of communities in Saskatchewan
• List of rural municipalities in Saskatchewan

External links

• YellowHeadIt - Churchbridge
• Churchbridge Credit Union