History of St. John the Evangelist Parish:
The Catholic Church in Morden had its beginnings in 1896, when it became a mission of the St. Boniface Diocese. St. John the Evangelist Church was built in the summer of 1899 on the corner of 10th Street and Thornhill Avenue, under the leadership of Father Woodcutter. The congregation was small, predominantly rural. Some families were only able to attend church on rare occasions. During the summer months Sisters and students from St. Boniface were sent out to live with families to teach catechism.
Most of the early priests served only a short time in Morden until 1924. Father Poitras, a resident of Manitou, took charge of the Mission for the next ten years. Masses alternated between Manitou and Morden. After the departure of Father Poitras, Morden was served by Father Brunet of Starbuck. It was during that period that a fire at the Starbuck church destroyed most of the Morden church records. During the depression years, the church was not used during the winter months and masses were sometimes celebrated at the Manitou Hotel, courtesy of the Gilberts, and later at the home of the Degelmans.
In time, the congregation grew and a committee was formed to study the possibility of building a new church. During this study, the Mennonite Brethren church at 685 Stephen Street, built in 1946, became available. A decision was made to purchase the church and it became the new home of St. John the Evangelist Parish in November 1969. The last mass in the old church was celebrated on November 9, 1969 and the building was torn down in February 1970.
During the next ten years the congregation grew to approximately 100 families and on October 3, 1980 a resident priest, Fr. Renato Pasinato, was officially installed by Archbishop Antoine Hacault.
***Excerpts taken from an article written by Els Tessier for the Parish’s centennial.
In 1996, St. John the Evangelist celebrated its 100th year. At that time, after pricing out the cost of refurbishing, the decision was made to proceed with planning a new church rather than upgrading a facility that would no longer meet the Parish’s needs.
In 1997, the Parish Council along with Fr. Wencee Rebillaco decided to start a Building Fund. A building committee was formed. Several people were put in charge of fundraising, acquiring land, building design, and communications.
In October 1998, the “Future Home of…” sign went up on a piece of land at Mountain Avenue and Academy Road, across from Minnewasta Elementary School. The approximately three acres of land was a generous donation by philanthropists Mr. and Mrs. John Buhler.
April 17, 2011 was the official sod turning ceremony. Archbishop LeGatt, along with Fr. Richard Machura, offered prayers and blessed the property. The parish moved to the new premises in November 2011. The first mass was on November 26. Archibishiop Albert LeGatt performed the official blessing on December 18, 2011.
Most of the early priests served only a short time in Morden until 1924. Father Poitras, a resident of Manitou, took charge of the Mission for the next ten years. Masses alternated between Manitou and Morden. After the departure of Father Poitras, Morden was served by Father Brunet of Starbuck. It was during that period that a fire at the Starbuck church destroyed most of the Morden church records. During the depression years, the church was not used during the winter months and masses were sometimes celebrated at the Manitou Hotel, courtesy of the Gilberts, and later at the home of the Degelmans.
In time, the congregation grew and a committee was formed to study the possibility of building a new church. During this study, the Mennonite Brethren church at 685 Stephen Street, built in 1946, became available. A decision was made to purchase the church and it became the new home of St. John the Evangelist Parish in November 1969. The last mass in the old church was celebrated on November 9, 1969 and the building was torn down in February 1970.
During the next ten years the congregation grew to approximately 100 families and on October 3, 1980 a resident priest, Fr. Renato Pasinato, was officially installed by Archbishop Antoine Hacault.
***Excerpts taken from an article written by Els Tessier for the Parish’s centennial.
In 1996, St. John the Evangelist celebrated its 100th year. At that time, after pricing out the cost of refurbishing, the decision was made to proceed with planning a new church rather than upgrading a facility that would no longer meet the Parish’s needs.
In 1997, the Parish Council along with Fr. Wencee Rebillaco decided to start a Building Fund. A building committee was formed. Several people were put in charge of fundraising, acquiring land, building design, and communications.
In October 1998, the “Future Home of…” sign went up on a piece of land at Mountain Avenue and Academy Road, across from Minnewasta Elementary School. The approximately three acres of land was a generous donation by philanthropists Mr. and Mrs. John Buhler.
April 17, 2011 was the official sod turning ceremony. Archbishop LeGatt, along with Fr. Richard Machura, offered prayers and blessed the property. The parish moved to the new premises in November 2011. The first mass was on November 26. Archibishiop Albert LeGatt performed the official blessing on December 18, 2011.