Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples
East face of the Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples Location in Edmonton
53°33′18″N 113°29′14″W / 53.55500°N 113.48722°W / 53.55500; -113.48722
Location	10821 96 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta T5H 2J8
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
Membership	2,500 (2009)
Website	sacredpeoples.com
History
Former name(s)	Sacred Heart Church
Founded	December 25, 1913
Dedication	Sacred Heart
Other dedication	October 27, 1991
Architecture
Functional status	Operational
Architect(s)	David Hardie
Style	Gothic Revival
Administration
Parish	First Nations, Métis, and Inuit national parish
Archdiocese	Edmonton

The Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples is a Roman Catholic church located in Edmonton, Alberta. It first opened in 1913 as the Sacred Heart Church. It was built to serve the many new people moving to the city. For many years, it helped different immigrant Catholic groups get started.

In 1991, the church became very special. It was chosen to serve the growing number of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people living in Edmonton. On October 27, 1991, it became the first church of its kind in Canada.

History of Sacred Heart Church

Early Days and Growth

In the early 1900s, many people were moving to Western Canada. This caused the Catholic Church in the area to grow quickly. A church called Immaculate Conception Parish was started in 1906 for immigrants in Edmonton. By 1911, it was too full.

So, Immaculate Conception was kept for French-speaking Catholics. A new church, Sacred Heart Parish, was built for everyone else. Sacred Heart opened on December 25, 1913. It is in the historic McCauley neighborhood. The building was designed by an architect named David Hardie.

Fires and Rebuilding

On November 16, 1966, a fire badly damaged much of the church. But this was also a chance to update the building. It was remodeled to fit the new ways of worship decided by the Second Vatican Council.

On August 30, 2020, another fire happened at Sacred Heart. It started when materials used in a smudging ceremony caught fire on the ground floor. The fire spread to the walls and ceiling. Luckily, the church was empty, and no one was hurt.

Even after this fire, the church leaders decided to restore the building, just like they did in 1966. Many people offered their support. The church started raising money to rebuild, with a goal of $2 million.

The rebuilding was finished just in time for a very important visit. On July 25, 2022, Pope Francis visited Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples. He spoke about healing and saying sorry, calling the church a "house of reconciliation."

Helping Newcomers

Over the years, many Catholic groups from different countries used Sacred Heart Church. They would meet there while they saved money to build their own churches. These groups included people from Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Croatia. Today, a community from Eritrea still meets in the building. About 600 people attend weekly services there.

A Special Church for First Peoples

Serving the Community

Because Sacred Heart Church is close to downtown Edmonton, it started to help many people who didn't have a permanent home. Many of these people were Indigenous Canadians. The church began to do more to help the community.

In 1971, volunteers started a free Christmas dinner every year. A food bank began operating in the church basement in 1980. At the same time, the number of older church members was going down. So, the church leaders decided to combine the struggling parish with a centre that helped Indigenous people.

On October 27, 1991, Archbishop Joseph MacNeil announced that the church would become a First Nations, Métis, and Inuit parish. This created the Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples. A group of priests called the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate took charge. They are known for working with Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Culture and Outreach

As the first Catholic church in Canada chosen for this special role, Sacred Heart's inside is decorated with symbols from Indigenous cultures. You can see the medicine wheel, the rainbow (which is seen as a bridge to the next world), and the eagle (a symbol of God). Many paintings by Indigenous artists are displayed inside.

Sunday Mass often begins with a smudging ceremony. The tabernacle, which holds important items, is shaped like a teepee.

Sacred Heart is one of the poorest Catholic parishes in Edmonton. Its outreach programs are very important for helping people downtown. The church holds free community meals every month. It also runs a Christmas hamper charity program. And it provides funerals at no cost for families who cannot afford them.

Important Leaders

Father Jim Holland was the pastor at Sacred Heart from 1995 to 2017. He is known for helping the church become strong again. In 2016, a street in Edmonton was renamed "Father Jim Holland Way" in his honor. In 2017, he received the Alberta Order of Excellence, a very high award.

In September 2017, Father Susai Jesu took over as pastor. He is a missionary priest from India who learned to speak Cree. He learned Cree while working with Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan.

Within a year, Father Susai had earned the respect of many people in the parish. In November 2018, seven local elders honored him with an eagle feather.