Item 2620 - Exterior of Sacred Heart first church building in Wetaskiwin

• Graphic material

1 photograph : colour : 15 x 10 cm.

This is a photograph of the exterior of Sacred Heart first church building in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. The sign in front reads, "This 30' x 20' Church was built with donated labour in 1894 under Fr. Poitras' direction. Presently, it is the oldest standing church in Wetaskiwin. It first stood on the property south of 49th Avenue between 51st and 52nd Street. The church served as a school from 1901 to 1903. In 1913, the church was moved to 47th Avenue and 47th Street by Bethel Lutheran and was used until 1963. Ten years later, Henry Drinnan, who had bought it for duplex purposes, returned it to the Catholic Church as a gift. It was moved the following summer on July 23rd, 1974 to this location where many former Catholic parishioners have been buried. The Alberta Government officially designated it a Heritage Site on October 30th, 1975, thus ensuring its preservation for the benefit of future Albertans. Holy services are celebrated from time to time throughout the year."