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A Brief History
Homesteader, carpenter and Methodist, Reverend Charles Hopkins designed, and, with help from the local community, built this church exactly as it stands on land donated by Harry Halcourt Walker. Additional labor and most of the material were donated or raised among members of the small community by various means such as raising chickens and picking cranberries for sale.
Evoking images of its use as church, community centre and school, the energy one feels upon entering this little building is of real people of neighbors, community and friendship. It is a symbol of religion asset was for many of the first Peace Country Pioneers; unassuming, wholesome and compassionate.
Arthur H. Funnel, a young English bachelor immigrated to Halcourt in 1912. Describing the frugal and often hungry life of his fellow pioneer bachelors Funnell said, in reference to Halcourt Church, “to be absolutely honest, I believe the hope that we would be invited to supper by some of our warm-hearted neighbors was the real reason for our regular attendance at these services”.
Arriving with her family via the one year old Edson Trail in 1912, Marion McNaught, eldest sister to famous Peace Country artist, Euphemia McNaught, was the first schoolteacher in the area. She held her classes in this very church. Financial support for the school likely helped with the costs and upkeep of the building.
A visit to the Beaverlodge Cultural Centre is an essential experience, where, if you’re lucky, you can have tea and reminisce with Marion’s daughter, artist, teacher and regional treasure of the Peace, Peggy Martin.
SITE INFORMATION
Denomination: Methodist (United Church of Canada in 1925)
Church built: 1911
Cemetery: yes, half a mile south of church
Access: phone permission granted
Contact: Josic Dahl Church 780-354-8368
FURTHER READING & BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beaverlodge and District Historical Association 1974, Beaverlodge To The Rockies
Leonard, David W. 1995, Delayed Frontier
Leonard, David W. 2005, the Last Great West
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