Four years after a devastating fire razed a 113-year-old church in Fort Chipewyan, residents in the northern Alberta community are advocating for a new communal gathering space to commemorate significant occasions. Elder Alice Rigney from Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation reminisces about her deep connections to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Roman Catholic Church, where she was baptized and married. The church, built in 1909 and located on the shores of Lake Athabasca, was recognized as a National Historic Place in 2006.
In 2020, the ownership of the church was transferred by the Diocese of St. Paul to King’s Kids Promotions Outreach Ministries, a Christian charity based in Fort McMurray, causing a sense of loss within the community. With no resident priest, services were conducted by visiting clergy from Fort McMurray until the church was tragically destroyed by fire in 2022.
The space previously occupied by the church now serves as a venue for children’s camps and community events organized by the Kids Promotions Outreach Ministries. Margaret Whiteknife, a local Roman Catholic committee volunteer, reveals the community’s past efforts to raise funds for restoring the historic building before its sale. Now utilizing a community hall for services and funerals, Whiteknife aspires to establish a nonprofit organization to raise funds for a new Roman Catholic church with versatile rooms for various gatherings.
Acknowledging the complex emotions surrounding the church, Whiteknife emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in the envisioned new church space. Preliminary discussions have commenced with Bishop Gary Anthony Franken exploring feasible options for constructing a new church in Fort Chipewyan, considering challenges such as finding a priest willing to serve in the remote area long-term.
While the new church may not stand on the original site, the community’s desire for a place they can truly call their own remains paramount. As plans for a new church unfold, the community seeks to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all, transcending historical associations with the past.