Church Point, Nova Scotia
Church Point is an unincorporated community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located on Saint Mary's Bay in the District of Clare in Digby County.
History
Church Point continues to constitute part of a thriving Acadian French linguistic presence in Nova Scotia. Today it is on the "Evangeline Trail."Université Sainte-Anne
Church Point is home to Université Sainte-Anne, the only French language university in Nova Scotia. Approximately 500 students study there. It was founded on September 1, 1890, by Gustave Blanche, a Eudist Father. The university was named after Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Sainte-Anne is known for its French Immersion programs. The program is very strict about using immersion to learn the French language. At the official opening of the session, the student is asked to sign a pledge agreeing to speak French at all times during the program. As soon as the pledge is signed, the use of French is mandatory at all times. If a student is caught speaking English they will receive a warning. The third warning results in expulsion from the program, without a refund.Also on the university campus houses the local arena and the home of the Clare Acadiens hockey association.
A Visitor Centre, housing an Acadian interpretive centre and visitor information, is located on the university campus. An Acadian Odyssey Monument commemorating the founding of Clare was erected in September 2015, and is situated in front of the Visitor Centre.