Morinville church razed, possible arson suspected
Kenney says blaze `appears to have been a criminal act of hate-inspired violence'
Investigators continue to probe the cause of a fire that left a century-old Catholic church in Morinville in ruins.
Before dawn Wednesday, St. Jean Baptiste Parish Church in the community north of Edmonton caught fire and burned to the ground. Police believe the blaze may have been deliberately set.
On Thursday afternoon, RCMP Cpl. Candace Hrdlicka said fire investigators and RCMP were still on scene. No suspects had been identified and the cause of the fire had not been determined.
The church is one of several Catholic churches in Canada to burn amid the ongoing discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools. Others have been vandalized with red and orange paint.
Premier Jason Kenney toured the scene in Morinville Wednesday and said the fire “appears to have been a criminal act of hate-inspired violence.”
Archbishop Richard Smith of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton called the fire “heart-rending” and urged empathy for Indigenous communities and local parishioners.
“That's a monument to their faith,” he said of the church in a video message. “It's also a very, very important monument in life in that whole city. They're reeling right now, they're in a lot of grief.”
A statement attributed to chief and council of nearby Alexander First Nation also mourned the loss of the church.
“We extend our sympathies to all those affected by this loss,” the statement reads. “The leadership of Alexander will continue to work with the town and support where we are able.
“Neither community has much to celebrate on this Canada Day … we ask that you give us the grace to pause and reflect on the issues before us without speculation and rumour.”
During a press conference at the Morinville Town Hall Wednesday morning, Mayor Barry Turner said the loss of the church has been “overwhelming.”
“I can't begin to describe the range of emotions that no doubt we're all feeling in Morinville here today,” Turner said. The church was completed in 1907.
“It's really the heart and soul of a lot of what went on in our community. And as I said before, we cannot replace what was lost.”
The Morinville Fire Department responded to the structure fire at the church, 10034 100 Ave., at around 3 a.m. Wednesday.
At the height of the firefight, there were approximately 10 trucks and 50 firefighters. The fire was contained to the church and was declared under control just before 7 a.m.
Iain Bushell, Morinville director of emergency management, said there was no damage to the rectory next door.
There was minor ember damage to the roof of the nearby Notre Dame Apartments — a former convent and residential school with 38 apartment units — as well as the Morinville Museum.
Residents of the building were safely evacuated and the Morinville Legion is acting as a reception centre for displaced residents.
Fire crews remained on scene Wednesday morning dousing hot spots. Bushell said it will be some time before a final report, including cause of the fire, is available.
Anyone with information about the fire, including those who may have video, is asked to contact Morinville RCMP or local police
Turner said town council conducted a special meeting and decided to cancel Canada Day festivities in light of the fire.
Kenney, Morinville-st. Albert MLA Dale Mcnally and Justice Minister Kaycee Madu toured the site Wednesday afternoon and announced the province will double funding for the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program, from $1 million to $2 million, to help protect churches and other faith communities.
I can't begin to describe the range of emotions that no doubt we're all feeling in Morinville here today