Catholic church chases steeple options
Bell tower, potential name change discussed during update on new building
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, February 16, 2017
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
As Fort Simpson's new Catholic church moves toward completion, members of the Mackenzie-Fort Smith diocese are turning their attention toward the final details such as what to call it.
The new Catholic church in Fort Simpson is currently under construction. - NNSL file photo
|
"Our priority is getting the job done right," Bishop Mark Hagemoen said.
The hope is still that the church will be open at Easter or at least before Canada's 150th year celebrations.
During a meeting on Feb. 7, members of the congregation gathered at Bompas Elementary School to discuss the church's interior, as well as its steeple and the possibility of a name change.
When the original Sacred Heart Catholic Church was torn down in 2013, the steeple and bell were saved with the intent of including it in the new design.
Current plans are to build a bell tower separate from the church in order to house the bell.
Martina Norwegian, a longtime member of the congregation, said the steeple is still part of the church even though it won't be part of the main building.
"We haven't looked at the steeple - we have to look at refurbishing it and how we will do that," she said.
Hagemoen said the bell tower is still a big issue for the diocese, and is one that will likely be addressed once the main building is complete.
"To incorporate the bell tower structurally (into the church) was a big challenge, so it's not part of the building. The committee has chosen a site for future development," he said.
"When the building is complete, then we'll take on the bell tower, and also the sidewalks and landscaping . It's just a case of approaching things one stage at a time."
The issue of the steeple and how it fits in with the church's opening will be addressed at a later meeting, Hagemoen said.
Father Joe Daley said opening the church without the bell present would feel like "there (was) something missing."
"I think (the bell) is symbolic of something," he added.
Congregation member proposes name change
Billy Villeneuve, who has been a member of the Catholic church for years, said he wants to see the congregation discuss the possibility of changing the name of the church from Sacred Heart Parish to St. John Paul II.
"I would like to see it named after the Pope who was here," he said.
Daley suggested the issue be brought up to see what the reaction from the faith community is.
Hagemoen said any name change would come as a proposal from the parish, and then would be formally proposed to the diocese.
