The Holy Ghost Catholic parish in Manitoba was founded in 1898 to serve Poles, Ukrainians, Germans, and Slovaks residing in Winnipeg's "North End" neighbourhood. The parish was established when two Polish priests of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate religious order arrived in Winnipeg. The parish became the focal point of Polish culture in Manitoba following the construction of the first Polish school in Canada in 1902 and a rectory in 1903. It served as the base for Oblate missionary activity in Polish communities across Western Canada.

Holy Ghost Cemetery, was founded by the community in 1942. It is home to thousands of people who have gone to their rest. Many of The Missionary Oblates of Assumption Province, whom we are indebted to for establishing Holy Ghost Parish, are also laid to rest in our Cemetery.

Holy Ghost Cemetery provides options for either a traditional or ash burial. Over many years, our cemetery has undergone major renovation work such as road reparation, drainage system improvement, gate replacement and more.

The Cemetery is open year-round, for those wishing to visit family and friends who have gone before them.

In 1914 a parcel of land in Old Kildonan was acquired to become the first Polish cemetery in that district. However, because of its location, the site was deemed impractical at the time.

(Source: Holy Ghost Parish website [2023/11; Adapted])

1908 to 1912 was a period of great expansion in Manitoba. Land values doubled, as real estate agents and speculators bought property hoping to make a quick return.

In 1912 River Lots 38 to 44 were owned by Drewery and Bannerman Real Estate Co. The 1913 municipal records list a R J Bateman of London, England as owner, we believe he sold to a Mr Kennedy. The Kennedys lived in St. Andrew's Municipality, Lot 1, which is on the north side of Parks Creek, and were quite prosperous.

It was Mr. Kennedy who began business as Riverside Cemetery. A mausoleum was built by him.

At that time cemeteries were exempt from municipal taxation. This irked the local council, who took the matter to court, and won — partly! The court ruled that a minimum of twenty acres could be owned by a church and would qualify for exemption of municipal taxation.

Riverside Cemetery owners then had the land subdivided and over the years sold it to various religious groups. If part of their land was used for agricultural purposes it could then be taxed.

(Source: The Changing Scene - A History of West St. Paul, p 85 [circa 1989; Adapted])

Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD01-13-12-03-E1

In the Rural Municipality of West St Paul

As noted above, though it does not relate directly to the communities served by this cemetery, a part of the area's story is told in the volume "The Changing Scene - A History of West St Paul", especially starting on page 85. A free digital version of this and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".

A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society (reference #1228), transcribed by a member or members in 1998.

Additionally, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (Manitoba Branch) centralizes, curates and makes available extensive records from various groups related to the communities established by the families of Ukrainian descent who settled lived in, died in, or contributed to the story of Manitoba.

Also of note, the Ogniwo Polish Museum centralizes, curates and makes available extensive records from various groups related to the communities established by the families of Polish descent who settled lived in, died in, or contributed to the story of Manitoba.