A news release stated officers responded to a 10:30 p.m. emergency call alerting them of a structural blaze in Janvier. Upon arrival, they discovered the building was 鈥渆ngulfed in flames.鈥 Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the old house of worship was destroyed.
Witnesses informed police they saw a silver sedan driving away from the scene as the fire began.
Bishop Gary Franken of the Diocese of St. Paul told The Catholic Register that this building had not hosted Catholic liturgical services in a long time as it gave way to a newer St. Gabriel Church next door.
鈥淭he church building destroyed by fire in Janvier was the unused 鈥榦ld鈥 church, which happens to be right beside the 鈥榥ew鈥 church that has been in use for a number of years,鈥 wrote Franken. 鈥淚 was informed that the newer church was not damaged. There was some talk about using the former church as a museum, but no decision was finalized about that. These church buildings belong to the First Nations band that they are on. The Diocese of St. Paul is responsible for providing the ministry, with a priest coming down from Fort McMurray on a Sunday once a month for Mass.鈥
Chipewyan Prairie First Nation councillor Shane Janvier decried the fire in a video he posted to social media of him next to the remains of the church.
鈥淭he significance of this old church in the community 鈥 lots of celebrations at this church over the years, lots of weddings, lots of baptisms,鈥 said Janvier. 鈥淭his is a place where we鈥檝e come to say our last respects to our loved ones and our ancestors 鈥 enough鱿鱼视频app enough. We鈥檝e got to start looking out for one another as a community.
鈥淚f we鈥檙e going to make statements that this is our land and we鈥檙e going to fight for this land, then we damn well better learn to respect our land. That鱿鱼视频app not respecting our community.鈥
Janvier, who received First Communion in the destroyed church, said 鈥渆arly indications appear to be arson.鈥 However, the RCMP is still investigating the cause of the fire.
Anyone with information or footage regarding the fire is asked to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP at (780) 788-4000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).