One local landmark is on the cusp of celebrating 100 years in the community.
Saint Dominic Parish in Cold Lake will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on Saturday Aug. 8 with a special mass and gala.
“I think it is a great landmark and says that our community has been involved and worked together for 100 years,” said Father Andrew Schoenberger. “It also shows that we weren't a bunch of disconnected families and households, we were and are a community.”
The church, which sits on Lakeshore Drive across from Saint Dominic Elementary, will be unveiling several recently completed renovations at the celebration. Fundraising from the parishioners has led to the purchase of a new monument, benches and a new alter.
Residents from across the City will start the centennial celebration with a 4 p.m. mass, complete with a special dedication ceremony.
“It is basically a consecration and solemn blessing of the church,” said Schoenberger. “Bishop Paul Terrio will come and he will bless the new altar that we are going to be installing, as well as blessing the walls of the church. He will be blessing the whole space and consecrating it as a place of worship.”
After mass the parishioners will head over to the Cold Lake Energy Centre for a special gala complete with a nice dinner and comedic entertainment.
“It is definitely a big event for the church,” said Esther Quiambao, co-chair of the organizing committee. “We are going to have a lot of historical pieces, which will be on display and we are going to have a nice big photo booth.”
Tickets for the gala are currently being sold, the event is open to anyone from the public to come out and enjoy.
“For me the centennial is part of a great landmark on the journey of St. Dominc Parish's life,” said Schoenberger. “I don't think it is the end. I think we have a great future ahead and I look forward as the parish continues to grow and moves on to is second century of life.”
