Fonds ARCAE-119 - Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Parish Fonds

On Ermineskin Reserve, a house-chapel, 14’ x 28’ was erected in 1885 by Brothers Patrick Bowes and Alexandre Lambert, OMI. Father Gabillon, OMI, began his arduous work among the Indigenous people. They were visited as early as 1881 by Rev. Zacharie Touze, OMI.

In 1894, Brothers Lambert and Bowes, OMI built the second church, the nave, measuring 26’ x 40’ and the sanctuary 12’ x 18’. It was inaugurated at Midnight Mass of Christmas, 1894, and dedicated to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows by the pastor, Rev. Father Victorin Gabillon, OMI. He can be considered the “founder” of the permanent Catholic mission at Hobbema.

The third church constructed on the Ermineskin Reserve was inaugurated by Archbishop John Hugh MacDonald on June 2, 1940. Father Edouard Rheaume, OMI, was the Pastor at the time. The Archbishop blessed the church and a bell and erected canonically the stations of the Cross.

The fourth church on the Ermineskin Reserve was the teepee church built in 1959 and capable of seating 640 worshippers. Coadjutor Archbishop Anthony Jordan, OMI solemnly dedicated the new church on October 27, 1960. On December 18, 1960, Hobbema became a parish canonically erected.

The Sisters of Assumption arrived in Hobbema on August 30, 1894. Our Lady of Seven Sorrows is the “Mother Church” of four Cree reserves in the area of Hobbema. Each reserve, Ermineskin, Samson, Louis Bull and Montana has its own chief and council.

In January 1, 2013, the community name of Hobbema was officially changed to Maskwacis.