The faithful of two longstanding Catholic communities in the Vermilion area will gather on Sunday, Aug. 23, to celebrate two significant milestones in their shared history: the Golden Jubilee of the dedication of Holy Name Parish Church in Vermilion and the Centenary Jubilee of St. Columba Parish in Clandonald.
The celebration will begin with the Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. at Holy Name Parish in Vermilion, followed by a Jubilee Gathering at 11:30 a.m. at the Vermilion Senior Citizens Centre. During the liturgy, several young parishioners will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, conferred by Most Rev. Paul Terrio, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of St. Paul.
For Holy Name Parish, the celebration marks 50 years since the dedication of its present church, a testament to the resilience and faith of the parish community.
The first Roman Catholic church in Vermilion was built in 1909, with Father Henri Goutier serving as the parish’s first pastor. As the parish grew, a larger church was constructed and officially opened by Archbishop John Hugh MacDonald in 1953. Tragedy struck on March 1, 1975, when the church was destroyed by fire, only months after the parish celebrated its 65th anniversary.
Determined to rebuild, the parish came together under the leadership of pastor Rev. Edward Purcell. With the active involvement of the parish council and generous support from the Archdiocese of Edmonton and neighbouring Christian communities, a new church was completed in just 17 months. The present Holy Name Church was officially opened and dedicated on Aug. 22, 1976.
Today, parishioners give thanks for five decades of worship, fellowship, and service in the church that rose from the ashes.
“As we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the dedication of our church, we thank God for 50 years of faithfulness, guidance and love within this spiritual home. May this congregation continue to grow in unity and witness, bringing the light of Christ to future generations.”
The celebration also honours the 100th anniversary of St. Columba Parish in nearby Clandonald.
Founded in 1926 by settlers from England, Ireland and Scotland under the leadership of Rev. Andrew MacDonnell and Rev. Donald MacIntyre, the parish began humbly with Mass celebrated in a tent on a parishioner’s farm. Construction of the first church followed shortly afterward, and it was blessed on June 10, 1927, by Archbishop Henry Joseph O’Leary and dedicated to St. Columba. Rev. Malcolm MacDonald became the parish’s first resident pastor.
As the community expanded through new settlers and growing families, the need for a larger church became evident. Parishioners raised funds beginning in 1959, and construction of the current church commenced in 1961 under the direction of Rev. Edward Purcell and Rev. Charles Nearing. Archbishop John Hugh MacDonald solemnly blessed the new church on Sept. 14, 1961.
Since 1990, St. Columba Parish has been served by the pastor of Holy Name Parish in Vermilion, reflecting the enduring bond between the two faith communities.
The dual jubilee celebration offers parishioners, former members and friends an opportunity to give thanks for generations of faithful witness while looking forward with hope.
Congratulations to Holy Name Parish on the 50th anniversary of the dedication of your church and to St. Columba Parish on your centenary. May these jubilees inspire renewed faith, strengthen your communities, and continue to bear witness to Christ’s love for many years to come.
