Assumption Parish (Bodo, Alta.)

The mission of Bodo (Assumption Parish) was served by Oblate priests between 1909 and 1922 when a brick rectory was built and Father Joseph Moelders was appointed. He served from Feb 11, 1923 to July 1, 1924. In 1924 Assumption parish became a mission of St. Norbert Parish in North Rosenheim and was served by Father Schnitzler until 1926. In 1926 Assumption Parish, once again had a resident priests.

Thirteen miles south of Rosenheim, a large colony of Russian/Germans had settled. Father August Forner, OMI, visited them as early as 1909. By 1911 there were 20 families in the area. In 1911 they organized the building of a church without proper authorization. By 1912 it was completed. The building was 50’ x 36’ x 14’ with a 50’ tower. The wooden structure cost $1800. The location of the church was on the S.W. 1/4-21-36-1-W4 (4 acres). The cemetery was located one-quarter mile east of the church on NW1/4-21-36-1-W4. The site was chosen by the three main organizers of the church construction: Mr. Phillip Scheck and Mr. Valentine Sperling I, and John Reinbold I. Mr. Philip Scheck and Mr. Valentine Sperling. The church site was donated by Phillip Scheck I and the cemetery site by Valentine Sperling I. The church was known as South Rosenheim and was served from North Rosenheim, known simply as “Rosenheim” after a city in Germany from which many of its earlier settlers had come.

In August of 1921 Father Matthias Schnitzler was appointed pastor of Rosenheim. He saw to the building of a brick rectory next to the South Rosenheim church. It was built by the Shrader brothers and completed in 1922. On February 11, 1923, Rev. Joseph Moelders began his duties as pastor of South Rosenheim. His stay was rather brief as he left for the U.S.A. on July 1, 1924. From 1924 (July 1) to August 1926, Rev. Matthias Schnitzler came again from Rosenheim to serve as parish priest of South Rosenheim.

Bodo hamlet came in existence when the railway station was built in 1932, four miles north of Assumption Church, South Rosenheim. With the years, more parishioners expressed the desire to have a new church built in Bodo. A new Assumption Church was begun in 1953 under the care and supervision of Father James Rietmeijer. The church site and brick rectory (constructed in 1911) were sold to Mike Sperling in 1954. The church blessing took place on August 25, 1955 by Coad.-Archbishop Anthony Jordan, OMI.

Assumption parish served many missions, including Mount Carmel (1926-1955), Altario (1927-1954), and 1968-1985), Compeer (1968-1997). In 1985 Assumption parish became a mission served from Provost and services continued until 1999 when the parish was officially closed.

Missions served by Bodo:

1926-1955: Mount Carmel
1927-1954: Altario
1932-1951: Compeer
1968-1985: Altario
1968-1997: Compeer

List of parish priests:

1911-1914: Rev. A. Forner, OMI, Pastor
1914-1916: Rev. J.B. Schultz, OMI, Pastor
1916-1921: Rev. E. Nelz, OMI, Pastor
1921-1923: Rev. M. Schnitzler, Pastor
1923-1924: Rev. Joseph Moelders, Pastor
1924-1926: Rev. M. Schnitzler, Pastor
1926-1931, Rev. F. Schachtel, Pastor
1931-1943, Rev. Fidelis Becker, Pastor
1943-1951: Rev. Joseph Rolheiser, Pastor
1951-1958: Rev. James Rietmeijer, Pastor
1958-1985: Rev. Francis Dittrich, Pastor
1985-1986: Rev. John Hesse, Pastor/Provost
1986-1989: Rev. Kenneth West, Pastor/Provost
1989-1994: Rev. Eduardo Escober, CM, Pastor/Provost
1994-1995: Rev. M. Laporte, Acting Adm./Provost
1995-1997: Rev. Bernard McCosham OMI, Pastor/Provost
1997-1999: Rev. Marion Strankowski, Pastor/Provost
1999-1999: Rev. Vic Perron, Pastor