St. Jean-Baptiste Catholic Mission - Fort McMurray, Alberta
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T0SHEA
N 56° 42.612 W 111° 21.156
12V E 478414 N 6285183
This centennarian Catholic Mission is now a part of the historic village in Fort McMurray's Heritage Park.
Waymark Code: WMGB5Z
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date Posted: 02/08/2013
Views: 1
The building now called the Old Catholic Mission was originally named the St Jean-Baptiste Mission, built in 1911. This was the first Catholic Church built in Fort McMurray. It is also the oldest building exhibited at Heritage Park.
As the backbone of Fort McMurray's Catholic community, the Old Catholic Mission housed the clergy and staff who served there until 1926. After the construction of the St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, the administration moved out of the St. Jean-Baptiste Mission. It remained empty for some time, up until about 1958
In about 1958 the mission had been sold for firewood for $10.00 when Father Bernard Brown arrived in Fort McMurray and felt the mission should be saved. He bought it back and, given that it was in poor condition had it restored. For a time after, the mission was put back to work as a youth meeting centre, then later was reverted to a chapel.
It is not known when the church was moved to Heritage Park, but it was some time after 1962. What restoration was needed has been accomplished and it now appears essentially as it did 100 years ago.
In 1911 the park threw a 100th birthday party for the church
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1911
Age of Church building determined by?: Historical Society
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM
Street address of Church:
1 Tolen Drive
Fort McMurray, AB Canada
T9H 1G7
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Not listed
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Not listed
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed
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