History

St. Peter’s Roman Catholic church began out of necessity. Many of the parish’s members had to travel 15 to 20 miles between 1907-1909 to attend Spring Lake church, before St. Peter’s parish was build. In 1909, the first nave and sanctuary were built. In 1916, a tower was added at the end of the nave to house the church’s bell. This construction was completed by Joseph Schulte.

On October 22nd, 1911, the plot was laid for the cemetery. On March 1st, 1925, a meeting was held which began talks on the building of a new church as it became apparent that the current one was too small. On February 12th, 1927, Rev. M.J. Schnitzler of St. Peter’s parish received a letter from the Archbishop of Edmonton giving permission for the new church to be built.

Barney Schares was hired as foreman. Mike Schares oversaw the interior furnishings. Both men were from the Wanda district. Mass was held in the basement of the church while it was being constructed. The new church was frame construction and built to Modern Gothlic style. It had “a Cathedral-like front bordered on either side by partly projecting twin towers of octagonal spires. The large front platform, including the dozen wide steps, is of cement. The whole frame structure rests on a full-size concrete basement five feet above the surface. The main body of the church is 70 x 38 feet. The towers measure 10 x 10 feet. The sanctuary is 24 x 20 feet, with a semi-octagonal rear. The sacristy, 16 x 20 feet, is on the South side of and adjacent to the sanctuary. The interior has no columns to mar the vision. There is a double flight gallery, the upper is enclosed by a paneled railing for the choir and the lower affords seating space. The lower front of the gallery is closed in and is a nicely paneled apse. All the ceilings and walls are plastered. All the window and door frames are trimmed by three three wedge keys. The sanctuary has a raised floor of two steps, all green carpet (red presently). A beautiful marble imitation Communion railing adorns the lower step. In the sanctuary, another three steps mount to the main altar which is of a rich Gothic in Regalice. The front of the mensa (the altar’s table top) bears the scene of the Last Supper. The mensa and the baldachin over the tabernacle are supported by marble pillars. The church is well built throughout and pleasantly painted.” (taken from The Western Catholic, dated August 18th, 1927, see St. Peter’s Church “Through the Years” 1909-1976 for more).

The church is significant for its Romanesque Revival architectural design. This is visible in its rounded arch windows with tracery, the rose window at the nave end, the arched coloured glass transom, the niche with statue, and the matching towers with steeples. Features of note of this style inside the church include: the vaulted ceiling, the semi-circular apse, the trim on the windows, doors and baseboards, the arcaded alter rails, and the wood-finished balcony.

Sunday, August 8th, 1927 was an eventful day for parishoners of St. Peter’s. Over one thousands people gathered from across the region to witness the blessing of the new church. The blessing was completed by His Grace Henry Joseph O’Leary, Archbishop of Edmonton.

For many years, it was customary for the women, children, and girls to site on the left side of the aisle while the men and boys sat on the right. The young bachelors in the parish were seated in the gallery. This changed for a time when Father Schnitzler rented the pews to families for $1.00/small pew and $2.00/large pew.

In 1975, the church was shingled with asphalt shingles by Rose City Builders Ltd. In the same year, a lightning strike hit the North bell tower. In 1976, many repairs where completed including cement work, sheeting inside the furnace room, installation of wall paneling and fire extinguishers, and improved lighting. A natural gas furnance was installed in 1986. In 1988, the church received Historical Resource Designation from the Province of Alberta. Cedar shingles were put back on in 1991. In 1999, the exterior of the church was painted. In 2009, wrought iron fencing was installed around eastern the cemetery. In 2012, the remainder of the wrought iron fencing was installed along the northern side of the cemetery. The church was also designated a Municipal Historic Resource with Flagstaff County on July 17, 2013. In 2015, the entirety of the church’s exterior was painted white.

Catholic Women’s League. St. Peter’s Church “Through the Years” 1909-1976. 1st ed.                         Sedgewick, The Community Press, 1976. Print.

Giedemann, Louise. Personal communication. 26 Jul 2018.

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Present Day Photographs of the Church and the Cemtery

Location

52.697146, -112.084726                                        NE 10-43-15 W4

Characteristics

Structure Condition: Good

Construction Date: 1927 with features from circa 1916 and 1909 church buildings

Features: Two spires, two bells, crosses atop metal balls on each steeple, sacristy on southern side of church which used to be the original church’s nave, six over nine paned windows, rounded arch windows with tracery and coloured glass, six buttresses which protrude from the side of the church’s basement, gable parapets on each side of each tower, statue inside the niche above the coloured glass rose window above eastern entrance, double font doors with arched coloured glass transom window

Roof Shape: Gable

Paint: White

Decorations: Stain glass windows

Roof Covering: Wooden shingles

Siding: Wooden clapboard with corner boards

Foundation: Cement

Additional History on the Property

St. Peter’s Church “Through the Years” 1909-1976

Catholic Women’s League. St. Peter’s Church “Through the Years” 1909-1976. 1st ed.                       Sedgewick, The Community Press, 1976. Print.

St. Peter’s School District History from Heisler History Book

“St. Peter’s School District”. Wagon Trails in the Sod: A History of Heisler and Area. 1st                    ed. Heisler: Heisler Historical Society, 1982. Print.

Giedemann, John

Giedemann, Leona (Lenhart). “Giedemann, John”. Wagon Trails in the Sod: A History                     of Heisler and Area. 1st ed. Heisler: Heisler Historical Society, 1982. Print.

St. Peter’s Church History from Strome History Book

“St. Peter’s Church”. Lanterns on the Prairie: Strome Diamond Jubilee 1905-1980. 1st                    ed. Strome: Strome Senior Citizens Club, 1980. Print.