Northern Alberta community mourns the loss of church destroyed by arson
Two men have been charged with arson after a historic church in northern Alberta was destroyed by a fire Monday.
Mounties were called to help local firefighters at St. Bernard Catholic church in Grouard around 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Two men were arrested Tuesday and charged with break and enter to commit theft and arson. They will appear in court in High Prairie on May 29.
The church was built in 1901 and the damage done by the fire has been deeply felt by many in the community and the diocese.
"They have lost something very valuable to them," said Archbishop Gerard Pettipas. "I think we, the whole diocese, have lost a treasure."
"The historical value of that church – like the paintings on the wall in the sanctuary were painted by bishop Grouard himself," said Monsignor Charles Lavoie. "We're not going to be able to replace that in any way, shape or form."
The fire was considerable in size and the building was heavily damaged. The portion of the church that wasn't destroyed is likely not salvageable, Lavoie said.
The church regularly served people from many surrounding communities, Lavoie said, and if the fire was arson, it would be "heartbreaking."
"Those four communities have been surrounded by these wildfires and we have counted ourselves very lucky that we have not yet lost one of our structures. . . for this to have happened is quite concerning," he added.
'A REALLY BIG LOSS'
Lorrie Anderson, a long-time resident of Grouard, said the destruction of the church is devastating for the community.
"It almost feels like a loss, a really big loss," she said. "Like losing a family member, because everybody was so attached to this church one way or another."
As the only church in Grouard, it has hosted countless weddings, baptisms, funerals and Sunday services. Anderson said the community gathered outside the church on Monday as firefighters worked against the flames.
"Hoping and praying and comforting each other that it didn't burn right down," she added.
While the church has been a gathering place for the community, it's also a reminder of the legacy of residential schools.
The St. Bernard Mission School ran in the area between 1894 and 1961, and a 2022 survey of the area uncovered 169 potential grave sites.
"You know, a lot of people have been affected by this residential school stuff, including my late parents,"Anderson said. "My grandmother, my Kookum, was also raised in a mission."
Despite her family's history with Catholic missions and residential schools, Anderson said she loved the church. It's the place her children and grandchildren were baptized and the place she laid her mother to rest.
Lorrie Anderson's grandchildren were baptized at the church in Grouard before it was destroyed by a fire May long weekend. (Source: Lorrie Anderson)"I just can't see any reason for somebody to set that church on fire," Anderson said. "All they did was break the people. All for what, a little bit of fun?
"This community, I don't know how we're ever going to get over this."
Before the arrests were made, Pettipas said there was nothing to suggest the arson was motivated by the area's history or the work being done by the Kapawe'no First Nation.
"We know the situation of the cemetery in Grouard, it has a very complex history," Pettipas said. "I've never had a sense in my working with the Chief and Council, with anybody else in that community, that there was any sense of bitterness or judgment or anything related to that church."
Restoration and rebuilding can't take place until the investigation into the arson is complete. For now, weekend services are being arranged in a neighbouring community.
RCMP are asking Grouard residents to send in any security footage or dash camera footage from May 22 at around 3 p.m.
Anyone with information about the fire can contact High Prairie RCMP at 780-523-3378.
Anonymous information can be given to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377, online at www.p3tips.com or through the P3 Tips app.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.