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St. Anne Chapel moved to new home at Bonnyville Museum

On July 14, the St. Anne Chapel was moved from it's former home on 47 Ave. to the Bonnyville Museum grounds
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The St. Anne Chapel was moved from its former location beside the Bonnylodge to the Bonnyville Museum grounds on July 14.

BONNYVILLE – The St. Anne Chapel has officially been moved to its new home at the Bonnyville and District Museum.   

On Wednesday, July 14, crews took their time moving the building from its 47 Ave. location beside the Bonnylodge through town to the museum grounds.   

Sue Wojick, Bonnyville Museum spokesperson, said the community turnout to see the facility moved showed how special St. Anne Chapel is to Bonnyville.   

“On move day, it was wonderful to see how important the chapel and the move of the chapel through town and to the museum grounds were to the community,” she expressed. “So many people were involved and interested. That’s a perfect example of what community is all about.”   

Town of Bonnyville Coun. Ray Prevost, who sits on the museum board, said the move was "a perfect example of what cooperation can do."  

“This is not a one person or group show. This was six individual groups coming together to make this possible,” he told Lakeland This Week.   

The Diocese of St. Paul agreed to donate the chapel to the Bonnyville Museum and sold the property to the Lakeland Lodge and Housing Foundation. The area where the building stood will be turned into a green space for the residents of the seniors’ facility.    

According to Prevost, the Government of Alberta has agreed to pay to have a contractor come in, level the lot, and fill in the hole that was left.    

Both the Town and MD of Bonnyville contributed $20,000 toward assisting the Bonnyville and District Historical Society in paying for the expenses of relocating the facility.    

“When Bonnyville decides they can do something, they get together to get it done,” expressed Prevost.    

Prevost and Wojick agreed the chapel will be an “awesome addition” to the museum.   

“The mission of the Bonnyville and District Historical Society is to search for, display, and preserve historical sites, artifacts, folklore and history of the Bonnyville district. The historical significance of the St. Anne Chapel is huge,” Wojick added. “From its origins in the Rife district to its long-standing home on 47 Ave. Now that the building is located at the Bonnyville Museum, the public will be able to enjoy it and learn about it. We’re proud to add it to our amazing museum.”   

Prevost added, “We don’t want to lose the historical value that the church has. The church was built somewhere around 1932, give or take a bit, by the farming community in Rife. It was moved in 1960 when they built the road from Eastbourne going to Ashmont, the church happened to be in the wrong location.”     

Robynne Henry, Bonnyville Nouvelle 

 

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