Rural Municipality of St. Andrews
St. Andrews is a rural municipality in Manitoba, Canada. It lies west of the Red River; its southern border is approximately north of Winnipeg.
The communities of Clandeboye, Petersfield, and Lockport are located in St. Andrews, which is part of Manitoba census division 13. The city of Selkirk, the town of Winnipeg Beach, and the village of Dunnottar are located adjacent to the municipality but are separate urban municipalities.
History
Since the Red River was an important means of transportation in the early settlement and parish, much of St. Andrews' history can be seen along River Road. The parish of St. Andrews was situated between two major fur trading centres of the Hudson's Bay Company, Lower Fort Garry and Upper Fort Garry.The name St. Andrews was derived from the Anglican parish of St. Andrews, which existed for several decades prior to the formation of the municipality in February 1880.
St. Andrews Anglican Church is one of the most well-known historical sites in Manitoba. Built in 1849, it served a centre of Anglican missionary activity in Rupert's Land. It is the oldest surviving stone church in western Canada and was designated a national historic site in 1970. Its distinctive steeple and Gothic Revival architecture make it instantly recognizable and the building is used as symbol for both the community as well as the nearby St. Andrews elementary school.
Captain William Kennedy House is located along the Red River about north of the St. Andrews church. Built in 1866 by Captain William Kennedy, it is now used as a museum and tea house. Its nearby flower garden is well known among locals and is commonly used for wedding photos. It was officially recognized as a provincial heritage site in 1984.
Twin Oaks and Miss Davis' School Residence was a girls school and boarding house built in the 1850s by the Red River Settlement and the Hudson's Bay Company. It became a National Historic site in 1962.
Communities and localities
St. Andrews includes the following communities:- Clandeboye
- Lockport
- Mapleton
- Matlock
- Netley
- Petersfield
- South St. Andrews
- Breezy Point
- Chalet Beach
- Cloverdale
- Less Crossing
- Little Britain
- McDonald
- Melnice
- Old England
- Parkdale
- Rossdale
- Sans Souci
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, St. Andrews had a population of 11,723 living in 4,404 of its 4,736 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 11,913. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.Attractions
In addition to the St. Andrews church, the municipality contains many historical and significant buildings and establishments, including:- Captain William Kennedy House
- Little Britain United Church and Cemetery
- Lockport Provincial Park
- Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
- Oak Hammock Marsh
- River Road Provincial Park
- St. Andrews Caméré Curtain Bridge Dam
- St. Andrews Rectory
- St. John's Cathedral Boys' School in Breezy Point
- Twin Oaks
- Winnipeg/St. Andrews Airport
St. Andrews Airport, which opened in 1962, provides an alternative to Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport for smaller aircraft including many flying to remote First Nation communities. The privately owned and operated Selkirk Airport and Selkirk Water Aerodrome services smaller aircraft with landing facilities on both land and the nearby Red River for floatplanes.
Notable people born in St. Andrews include Darren Helm, a professional ice hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.