Residents of Fort Chipewyan in northern Alberta are advocating for a new community space to commemorate significant events, four years after a devastating fire destroyed a 113-year-old church. Elder Alice Rigney, who has deep familial connections to the lost church, emphasized the emotional significance the building held for her. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Roman Catholic Church, a designated National Historic Place, was transferred to a Christian charity in 2020, causing a sense of loss in the community.
Since the fire, the community has been using the church’s former location for children’s activities and other events. Efforts to raise funds for restoring the historic church were halted after its ownership transfer. Margaret Whiteknife, a volunteer with the local Roman Catholic committee, expressed the desire for a new church with multi-purpose rooms for various community gatherings.
Discussions about constructing a new church have begun, but Bishop Gary Anthony Franken stated that it’s still in the early stages. Finding a feasible way to build a church in Fort Chipewyan, a fly-in community, poses challenges, including securing local financing and suitable housing for a stationed priest. Despite the complexities, community members are determined to create a new space that reflects their collective identity and history.