Both water tower and Le Fort Centre are now on the campus of St. Mary’s University, which moved to the site of the old Lacombe Home in 1999. The Lacombe Home was built by the legendary
Father Albert Lacombe, a priest of the Oblate Order and one of the best known and most revered early missionaries to work in Western Canada. The Lacombe Home was built on 200 acres of land near Midnapore donated by equally legendary local cattleman
Pat Burns. As well as the land, Burns also donated beef, dairy products and dairy cattle to the home. Lumber, coal, cash, even transportation of materials were all donated to build the home by well heeled friends of the Father.
Officially opened in 1910, the home continued in operation until fire claimed it in 1999. Several ancillary buildings survive, including the water tower, the site now the campus of
St. Mary's University. St. Mary's, which had its beginnings in 1985, moved to the site in 1999, offering a liberal arts program. The buildings from the Lacombe Home which survive have been repurposed for use by the university and new buildings have been added to the campus. In 1986 St. Mary’s College became St. Mary’s University College and in 2014 the university changed its name from St. Mary’s University College to St. Mary’s University.
Le Fort Centre, named for Monsignor Joseph E. Le Fort, once classrooms for the Lacombe Home, has been restored and has become classrooms for St. Mary's. The $2.5 million restoration was financed, to the tune of $1.2 million, by Ron Mathieson, of Matco Investments, close family friend of Monsignor Le Fort. Mathieson dedicated the restoration in memory of his mother, Mary Theresa Mathison (nee Cush), who died in 1996 at the age of 70.
Following is an obituary for Mary from the Winnipeg Free Press.
MARY THERESA MATHISON
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing on March 21, 1996 of our beloved wife, mother, sister, friend Theresa Mathison at her home. Theresa was born March 24, 1925 in Calgary. Alberta. She attended St. Anne's Elementary School and then St. Mary's School for girls Theresa accepted a job at Burns Foods and later became Manager of the Burns Credit Union. At Burns she met her loving husband of 40 years, Kenneth Mathieson. They lived in Calgary with their children until 1966 when they were transferred for a brief time to Edmonton, Alberta. In 1968 Theresa with her family moved to Winnipeg where she had resided for the past 28 years. Theresa devoted her life to raising her four children and for several years her special nephew. She lovingly gave special attention to her daughter Cheryl, who is developmentally challenged, spending years with the help of the various communities patterning Cheryl 6-8 times a day in addition to providing a home academic program.
Theresa will be lovingly remembered by her husband and kids singing and twinkling the '88s. She will be missed by all who knew her for her laughter and wonderful sense of humour. Her priority was always her family. Your soft knowing looks and unwavering support will be missed. Bye Bye, Mom. We love you.
From the Winnipeg Free Press, March 23, 1996
The following bronze plaque has been mounted by the front entrance.
LE FORT CENTRE
This Alberta Heritage Building (1913) that housed the classroom of the famous Lacombe Home has been restored as a tribute to and named for Monsignor Joseph E. Le Fort, through the generous support of Ronald P. Mathison, in memory of his mother Mary Theresa Mathison (nee Cush).
Monsignor Joseph E. Le Fort was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1920 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1945. He has faithfully served the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary for over 60 years. The restoration of this historic building serves as fitting recognition of this eminent Albertan's distinguished service to the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary and to St. Mary's University College.
Calgary, Alberta
June 30, 2007
ST MARY'S
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE