History

A Local History of St. Agnes Parish, Mayerthorpe

The Catholic people of the Mayerthorpe district in the early 1920’s were provided with a Mass when a priest would visit. Mass was said in the homes of the people around the district, so that close-by neighbours could attend.

In October of 1922, Father Joseph Ronald MacDonald, the Parish priest at Onoway, started coming to Mayerthorpe once a month to celebrate Mass. Plans soon got under way for the building of a Church and everyone pitched in to help. In August 1923, the Dedication Ceremony was held. People waited for hours on a hot day for the Bishop to arrive from Edmonton. When Archbishop O’Leary arrived, he Blessed and Dedicated the new Church, also confirming all the children who were of age and knowledge to be confirmed.

In 1928, the church bell was erected. The names of the people who helped to build the Church and buy the bell are written on the bell.

Mayerthorpe became a Parish in November of 1935 when Father P.J. O’Malley was serving here.

In December of 1951 a C.W.L. (Catholic Women’s League) was organized and over most of the years the C. W.L. has been active in the Mayerthorpe district.

The rectory (a home for the priest) was built in 1958.

A new church was built in 1961, with Father A.J. MacDougall as pastor at that time. The old church
was moved out of town and since then has been burned down. Both Sangudo and Glenevis were Missions of the Mayerthorpe Parish until they were closed.

Priests who have served the Mayerthorpe people over the years are:

  • 1922-1923 Rev. Joseph Ronald MacDonald
  • 1923-1930 Rev. John Louis Stacy
  • 1930-1935 Rev. Phillip M. Rooney
  • 1935-1937 Rev. P.J. O’Malley
  • 1937-1951 Rev. M.J. O’Connor
  • 1951-1956 Rev. J.A. Peck
  • 1956-1958 Rev. R. Leonard
  • 1958-1960 Rev. A. McRae
  • 1960-1966 Rev. A.J. MacDougall
  • 1966-1967 Rev. A. Hensel
  • 1967 -1969 Rev. Claude J. Prefontaine
  • 1969-1970 Rev. A. MacKenzie
  • 1970-1971 Rev. A. Dittrich
  • 1971-1973 Rev. F. Villeneune
  • 1973-1974 Rev. R. Plourde
  • 1975-1978 Rev. Ray Guimond
  • 1978-1979 Rev. Enzo Angoli
  • 1979-1987 Rev. M. Grogan
  • 1987-1990 Rev. Roger Keeler
  • 1990-1995 Rev. Frank Laverty
  • 1995-2001 Rev. Ray Guimond
  • 2001-2007 Rev. Andrew Bogdanovvicz
  • 2007-2009 Rev. D. Narisetty
  • 2009-2010 Rev. I. Bellamkonda
  • 2010-2015 Rev. Gary Lee
  • 2015-2021 Rev. Jaya Rajan JM SAC
  • 2021- Rev. Felix Devasia