The Ukrainian Catholic Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to involved parties of the de-sanctification and demolition of the Ukrainian Catholic Anshaw church. The building was abandoned and condemned, and, because of safety issues and unfeasibility of restoration, needed to be demolished.
We would like to thank the Bonnyville Volunteer Fire Department for their professionalism and courtesy at this emotional event. The de-sanctification of a church is treated much like a funeral, and for parishioners who might have spent their childhood attending this church, or are familiar with the history of this church and the resilience of the settlers who built it, the burning of the church was a very solemn occasion. The fire department members were patient and respectful, with several members attending the de-sanctification service. They allowed the congregation time to take pictures and assisted the priest. They remained on site, to ensure the entire structure was consumed and the fire was completely extinguished, long after the last of the crowd had left. All members deserve a big thank you, not only for their exemplary participation in this event, but for their service to the community.
Thanks to Brad Michalyk with Diversity, who supplied his track hoe, and buried the remains the next day at no cost. A hole was dug where the original altar would have been and any remaining debris was buried at that location. The area where the church was standing was cleaned up beautifully and a monument can now be erected.
We'd also like to thank the residents of the Anshaw-Dupre area for their support and participation. It was heartwarming to see the number of people who showed up to pay their respects to not only the parishioners, but also to the settlers who, through sheer determination and their faith, built this church, had it sanctified by the Catholic Church, and attended Mass there for years.
A final Thank-You to the Bonnyville Nouvelle for not only raising awareness in the community about the demolition, but for writing a thoughtful, respectful article on the church.
The Ukrainian Catholic Parish Council
