UrbexGal
1 month ago
1 month ago
Halcourt United Church
Grande Prairie County No. 1, Alberta
Other nearby Locations Smoky River No. 130
St. Jean Baptiste First Church
Historic Location Church in Smoky River No. 130, Alberta, Canada
Jul 31 2024
| Recent status | Historic Location |
| Location # | 20682 |
Hazards of St. Jean Baptiste First Church
Floors - Downstairs is the only preserved space (there is a broken pad lock on the upstairs door). The upstairs floor is coming apart and definitely feels weak. I took a peek in the attic but didn't trust the floor up there
History of St. Jean Baptiste First Church
The St. Jean Baptiste Church was the first permanant church built in the French Canadian settlement at Falher signifying the beginnings of a permanant settlement. It served the area for a 7 mile radius.
The building was used as a church from 1914-1919 and as a private residence thereafter since the railway had changed its route for the new line, which resulted in a new church being established one township further north (right in Falher).
The church is a two and one half-storey finished log building situated on approximately 64 hectares of land. It features full dovetail notching, a gable roof, and a small cupola crowned with a cross.
It possesses heritage value for its rarity as a two and one half-storey log building serving the dual purposes of church and residence.
