The web site is proudly presented in French and English. Simply click on language of choice FR and EN on top of web page on computer or FR and EN
Welcome to Bonjour Pain Court - Celebrating the Heart of Our Village!
Since its inception, the Bonjour Pain Court website (www.bonjourpaincourt.ca) has been a treasure trove of files, videos, photos, and interactive media, all dedicated to celebrating our beautiful village. Over the years, thousands of visitors have explored its pages—reminiscing over cherished memories, following daily updates on Facebook, and rediscovering the rich history of our people and community, stretching back 171 years to the construction of our first church. Pain Court’s roots, however, go even deeper. As early as the 1800s, settlers began building homes along the Thames River, later expanding into the surrounding farmlands known as the Pain Court Block, following the Creek.
Today, we take immense pride in our vibrant community, nestled in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent along the Thames River in Southwestern Ontario. Known for its strong agricultural heritage, Pain Court has flourished over generations, achieving countless milestones. Through this website, we strive to bring that history to life with engaging stories, references to beloved books, and rare archival videos—including remarkable footage dating back to 1926. Our growing collection of family photographs spans generations, capturing both everyday life and special moments, such as the unforgettable 150th Anniversary celebration in 2004.
And now, we’re expanding even further. Last year, we unveiled breathtaking drone footage showcasing the village, its former businesses, industrial sites, schools, and church. This year, we are actively revising the History Page—adding new material and links, refining photo selections, and planning additional enhancements, with more to follow in the coming months.
Equally important, we have added new information about Pain Court’s Historical Plaques. These plaques stand as a meaningful tribute to more than 200 years of French language and culture in our small but proud community within Chatham-Kent.
Stay tuned for new media and fresh updates—you never know what piece of Pain Court history you might uncover. Enjoy your visit!
The New Plaques in the Village
The faith, resilience, and determination of the Francophone settlers who built a community that has thrived for more than two centuries were celebrated recently with the unveiling of two plaques in Pain Court.
A crowd of nearly 100 gathered at the intersection of Creek Line and Winter Line Road for a ceremony celebrating both the past and future. The intersection is significant as the community’s first church, rectory, chapel, and cemetery were located there. The two plaques (in English and French) were installed through the efforts of the Chatham-Kent Heritage Network. Network Chair Lisa Gilbert said the dedication of residents to their heritage has resulted in the “maintenance and rejuvenation” of French-Canadian culture.
French-speaking settlers from Detroit and the Montreal area set up along the local creek in the early 1800s. Many original settlers received title to their property for their service in the War of 1812.
For more info, check out the Chatham Voice article:
A logo fit for the village!
You will remember the logo developed for the One-Hundred and fiftieth Anniversary. Now we present to you a new one. For the website and address but also for all uses in the years to come. A short loaf of bread accompanying the words Pain Court. Fully representative of what we are. A welcoming community.150 th
New photos added to the galleries page!
A special thanks to some friends of the town and website for providing some historic photos rarely seen. Click below to be taken to the page.
Old historical accounts, stories and documents have been recently added for your viewing pleasure. Take a dive in and see some old articles, newspaper clippings as well as historical accounts from various people throughout our history. Click the button below to see more.
Take a look at the Village archives. Plenty of information to dive into.
A new look at the village!
Click the link to take a look at the village of Pain Court. This film was recorded in spring of 2023 and provides an updated look from the sky on our beautiful village.
Check out the Facebook page!
Our Facebook page is the window of our community and we are so proud that the administrator is a former resident and now of Quebec City.
We now have over 1,400 Friends of the page, it’s very impressive. We are always on the lookout for new info, old photos, upcoming events, Come back often….even if you are not a regular Facebook user, you are always welcome.
