After a devastating fire destroyed a 113-year-old church in Fort Chipewyan four years ago, residents in the northern Alberta community are advocating for a new space to commemorate significant events. Elder Alice Rigney, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, shared her emotional connection to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Roman Catholic Church, where she was baptized and married, reflecting on the deep family ties it held for her.
Originally constructed in 1909 along the shores of Lake Athabasca, the church was recognized as a National Historic Place in 2006. In 2020, ownership of the church was transferred from the Diocese of St. Paul to King’s Kids Promotions Outreach Ministries, a local Christian charity based in Fort McMurray, which came as a significant change for the community, according to Rigney.
The absence of a resident priest in Fort Chipewyan at that time meant the community relied on visiting priests from Fort McMurray for services and other gatherings. Despite this, the Roman Catholic community continued to utilize the church until it was tragically destroyed in a fire in 2022.
Following the church’s sale, the former church site is now utilized by King’s Kids Promotions Outreach Ministries for various community activities. Margaret Whiteknife, a volunteer with the local Roman Catholic committee, highlighted previous efforts to raise funds and repair the historic building before its sale, reminiscing about the vibrant community gatherings and cultural expressions that took place within its walls.
Currently, community members utilize a community hall for services and ceremonies, but Whiteknife envisions a new Roman Catholic church that would serve as a dedicated space for the community. Plans are underway to establish a non-profit society to raise funds for the construction of a new church with multi-functional rooms for various community events.
Recognizing the complex history intertwined with the church, including its role as the site of the Holy Angels Residential School until the 1970s, community members are cautiously moving forward with discussions about the potential new church. Bishop Gary Anthony Franken of the Diocese of St. Paul acknowledged the community’s desire for a new church, with preliminary talks focusing on the feasibility of constructing a prefabricated building tailored for church use.
Franken emphasized the challenges of stationing a priest in a remote community like Fort Chipewyan, citing the need for suitable housing and financial support to sustain the position. While discussions are ongoing, Whiteknife and other community members are determined to create a new space that will not only honor the church’s legacy but also serve as a welcoming and inclusive gathering place for all community members.