Four years post a blaze that ravaged a 113-year old church in Fort Chipewyan, some residents in the northern Alberta hamlet are advocating for a fresh community space to commemorate significant occasions.
Elder Alice Rigney from Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation revealed her poignant ties to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Roman Catholic Church, where she underwent baptism and marriage, fostering a profound familial connection. Constructed in 1909, this church, situated near Lake Athabasca, was accorded National Historic Place status in 2006.
In 2020, the Diocese of St. Paul, administering 49 Catholic parishes and churches in Alberta, relinquished ownership of the church to King’s Kids Promotions Outreach Ministries, a Christian charity in Fort McMurray. The transfer dismayed the community, as highlighted by Rigney.
The absence of a resident priest led to the church relying on visits from clergy in Fort McMurray. Despite this, the Roman Catholic community conducted services and events in the church until the fateful fire in 2022.
The former church site is presently utilized by Kids Promotions Outreach Ministries for children’s programs and community activities. Margaret Whiteknife, a local Roman Catholic committee volunteer, reminisces about the vibrant church atmosphere before its sale, emphasizing the community’s unity and spiritual richness.
Currently, community gatherings and funerals are held in a communal hall, but Whiteknife envisions a new Roman Catholic church with versatile spaces for diverse events. Reflecting on the complex history intertwining the church site with the Holy Angels Residential School, Whiteknife stresses the need for a welcoming and inclusive place of worship.
Bishop Gary Anthony Franken acknowledges the community’s desire for a new church but indicates that plans are in preliminary discussions. The challenges of establishing a church in a remote locale like Fort Chipewyan, including securing a dedicated priest and sustainable funding, present significant obstacles.
While the new church may not occupy the original grounds, Whiteknife underscores the symbolic importance of a communal sanctuary. As aspirations for a new church take shape, the community remains steadfast in their quest for a spiritual haven they can truly call their own.