The historic St. Jean Baptiste Parish in Morinville, with its symbolic peeling bells, was gutted by flames that shot through the roof on June 30.
Although it’s been nearly one week, the pungent smell of burnt wood still lingers in the air. The church is gone. Only memories are left.
Passers-by at the Main Street site stop and read messages on the perimeter fence or take photographs of the catastrophe. Some messages are filled with anger and frustration. Others encourage love, peace, and kindness.
The church was a community linchpin, a mainstay that brought generations of working families, relatives, and friends together for major spiritual and social milestones in their lives.
The early morning fire forced the St. Paul Diocese to search for temporary quarters. This past weekend, parishioners flocked to the Morinville Community High School gymnasium. Normally empty during summer months, Rev. Paul Terrio, Bishop of St. Paul Diocese, and Father Trini Pinca, the parish priest, both held masses on a makeshift altar.
The fire was a shock. People responded by attending mass with high hopes of restoring the church and hearing words of encouragement. Many offered a little extra for the collection plate – anywhere from pocket change to a $100 bill.
Just prior to the Sunday service, a few parishioners spoke about their memories of St. Jean Baptiste Church. Most smiled, but there were also a few tears at the enormity of the loss.
Originally from Manitoba, Elizabeth Luce moved to Bon Accord 20 years ago. A regular mass-goer, Luce also volunteered as a sacristan – an officer charged with caring for the sacristy and church.
“When I first came here, I tried several different churches. But I loved this one because the angels (statues) they had at the altar were the same as the ones from the church I grew up in,” said Luce.
“The church (St. Jean Baptiste) was so beautiful. I hope they’ll be able to rebuild it.”
Caregiver Jennifer Escala, who works not too far from the church, smiled recalling she could always tell the time when the bells tolled. Originally from the Philippines, she worked in Saudi Arabia for 18 years prior to immigrating.
Father Pinca, a friend, assisted Escala in moving to Morinville.
“The first time I saw the church, I was amazed. I cried the first time I attended mass. There were no (Catholic) churches in Saudi Arabia. It had been so long since I went to church,” said Escala.
Emma Van Brabant, a second-year University of Alberta science student, recalled get-togethers with both immediate and extended family members.
“I’ve been going to the church since I was a week old. My memories are about meeting cousins for weddings and special events. All the family members would get together there. That’s where we would see them. We even had my grandpa’s funeral there.”
Laurette Kieser Rivard was one of seven children baptized at St. Jean Baptiste.
“I miss the beautiful paintings, the statues, the pulpit, everything,” said Rivard, who married 44 years ago and moved to Legal.
“My daughter got married here. It was a full mass – a big wedding. The church made it so special.”
Ron Cust, both a parishioner and coincidentally co-fire investigator, said his great-grandfather panned for gold here in 1902.
“It was my primary church. I got married there – twice. I attended low and high mass. Every year we went to Christmas Eve mass and then over to our house for celebrations. It was a central part of our family through baptisms, communions, marriages, and funerals. When my brother (Kevin) passed away on April 6, 2020, he was cremated, and the priest kept the ashes at a special place next to the altar."
Cust praised the church choir and how his wife, a flautist, and other parishioners stepped up to provide music for numerous occasions.
“And the Casavant organ. There was only one other like it in Alberta, and it was equal to the one at Notre Dame Cathedral in Quebec. That organ was central to the mass. I grew up not knowing how fortunate I was. I didn’t realize how special this church was.”
Although the organ turned to ash in the fire, Cust said Bishop Terrio requested the bells be collected so they could be re-cast for the new church.
Future fundraising efforts will be co-ordinated through the St. Jean Baptiste Parish Council.
