3 months ago
St. Jean Baptiste First Church
Smoky River No. 130, Alberta
Smoky River No. 130, Alberta
Grande Prairie County No. 1, Alberta
Grande Prairie County No. 1, Alberta
Recent status | Historic Location |
Location # | 20735 |
Gated - There is a gate that prevents people from just driving in, but it is not locked
1910 - The land was surveyed for settlement
1911 - The church was built (first frame built church in the peace river country)
1912 - Halcourt school district was formed and classes were held in the church until a log school was built in 1914
1922 - The cemetery was laid out a half mile south of the church
April 26th, 2002 - Three males set fire to the church and some rodeo buildings. They were arrested the same day and each had to pay $5000 in restitution towards the church and rodeo association, on top of house arrest and community service
There is a yearly memorial service held at the church every June.
The estimated costs to repair the church after the arson came to $5000. The teens paid $3k total and the rest was funded by community members and the government. The congregation decided that the church would still be used for special services such as weddings and funerals along with the annual service (which has been going since the mid 60's).