Our Church History
Before 1909
Masses & Missions in the area
Masses for Catholics in the Camrose/Sparling area were celebrated intermittently in homes and mission points (e.g., Duhamel, Sparling) by visiting priests before a formal parish building existed.
December 2, 1909
First Church Building Blessed
The parish’s first church (often referred to in early records as the Sparling/Camrose mission church) was blessed by Bishop Émile Legal on 2 December 1909 — this marks the formal establishment of St. Francis Xavier as a Catholic worship site in the district. Early Masses before the building were held in homes and the town hall.
October 27, 1913
Bell Installed and Blessed
A church bell was purchased/installed and blessed in late 1913 — an early physical landmark and an indicator of a settled parish community.
1927-June 17, 1928
Replace Original Church and Blessing Date
By the mid-1920s the parish required a larger building. Construction for the “second” St. Francis Xavier church was undertaken in 1927 and the new church was completed and blessed on 17 June 1928 (Archbishop Henry J. O’Leary officiated). The older building was subsequently sold.
Mid-20th Century
Parish Growth and Mission Outreach
Through the 1930s–1950s the parish continued ministering not just to Camrose but to nearby mission communities (Hay Lakes, Round Hill, Bawlf, Duhamel). The parish gradually expanded programs (schools, social groups) typical of growing prairie parishes.
1962-1963
Larger Church Built and Dedicated
As the parish expanded in the post-war decades, the 1928 building was taken down in 1962 and a larger structure erected on the same site. Construction began November 1962 and the new building was completed and dedicated in July 1963.
Late 20th Century
Parish Life and Leadership
St. Francis Xavier served as a stable parish hub for Camrose through clergy changes, parish councils, Catholic Women’s League, Knights of Columbus, and schools. Pastors during these decades guided liturgical life and local outreach.
~2009-2019
Visioning, Fundraising, Planning
Approximately a decade of planning, fundraising and community consultation preceded the most recent building project. The parish engaged architects, committees, school groups and many volunteers to design a modern parish centre that combined worship space with a large hall and meeting rooms. Fundraising efforts (including school activities and parish events) played a major role.
May 2019
First Masses in the New Building
The first weekday Mass in the new church was celebrated Tuesday, May 7, 2019 (around 9:00 a.m.) with over 200 people present; the first weekend Masses were the weekend of May 11–12, 2019 and drew very large crowds (500–675 per Mass as reported).
October 26, 2019
Official Dedication of New Church and Parish Centre
The official Dedication Mass was offered by Archbishop Richard Smith on Saturday, October 26, 2019 (about 500 people attended the dedication service). The project was reported as roughly a $17-million build (parish + centre) and seats approximately 650 in the nave; the parish hall seats ~360. The new facility emphasized accessibility, a large baptismal font, stained-glass windows depicting St. Francis Xavier (patron of missionaries), a chapel for private prayer, and community meeting rooms/kitchen.
2019 and onward
Church Life in the New Facility
Since the dedication parishioners have used the facility for liturgy, sacramental preparation, refugee sponsorship and community outreach; the building was intentionally designed to be a visible “beacon” for hospitality in Camrose and the surrounding mission communities. The parish continues paying down construction debt while running active parish ministries.