In gratitude and honour of the St. Joseph’s parish community in Three Hills, a final and historic Mass will be celebrated on July 9, 2025 at 7 p.m.
This occasion marks the end of an era for a parish that has been at the heart of Catholic life in the region for more than 90 years.
Over the decades, St. Joseph’s served as a beacon of faith, community, and spiritual formation for generations of families. Yet as demographics shifted and rural populations declined, regular attendance began to drop; prompting the parish to make a difficult but well-discerned decision.
The current St. Joseph’s church was built in 1965 and blessed by Archbishop Anthony Jordan. The building will continue its service to our Lord through the new owner, Grace Bible School.
On May 11, 2014, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church celebrated their 90th Anniversary with Archbishop Richard Smith. The parish is part of St. Anne of the Prairies in Trochu, and parishioners continue to be invited to attend Mass there.
History of St Joseph’s Catholic Church
The first St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church (The Brick Church) was built in 1922. The land was initially owned by Robert John Ferguson of Halkirk, Alta. who applied for a homestead in 1911. It was later subdivided, and Dave Siebert purchased and donated the church lots to the Catholic parish.
Construction of the original church was a community effort. Parishioners donated materials, furnishings, and labour. Frank McCallum, the head carpenter and the only paid worker, was supported by volunteers including Tom Kelly, Tom Kirby, Jack Nabb, and Ed Burke. Brickwork was completed by Matt Bohne of Trochu. The Vasseur brothers: René, Andrew, Arthur, and George, used their mining skills to dig the basement, with help from other local men like Walter Hourihan, Joe Toppan, and Pete Paris.
The church was officially named St. Joseph’s after Fr. Paul Chauvin received approval from Archbishop Henry O’Leary. Masses were first held in the basement, where the altar, donated by Tom Kelly and his wife, of Three Hills Hardware, was installed. The building was formally dedicated on May 11, 1924.
The first marriage in the church took place in the basement in September 1925, between Mary Kathleen Hourihan and Morris Dowell. Until the main floor was completed in 1928, the basement served both as the chapel and the priest’s residence. In 1931, St. Joseph’s became a mission church of St. Anne of the Prairies in Trochu, with Mass held twice a month. The church basement also became a local gathering space for events such as Christmas concerts, breakfasts, showers, meetings, and bingo nights.
In 1947, Wally and Joan de Free moved to Three Hills. Joan started a junior choir with Margaret Waterbury as organist. In 1957, the choir was invited to perform in Edmonton by Father Reynolds of St. Edmund’s Church, where they recorded a performance at C.H.F.A. Studio. Following Wally’s passing, 120 hymnals were donated to the church in his memory.
The church’s furnace was famously tended by Mike Riley, who shoveled coal to keep the building warm for services and choir practice. Over time, the brick church began to show its age, and by 1958, the decision was made to build a new church as the growing congregation had outgrown the original space.
Now, after more than a century of worship, celebration, and community gathering, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church prepares to close, marking the end of an era for generations of Three Hills families.
For more information on the July 9 final mass, contact: June Kanderka by email: kancraft@telus.net