LAC LA BICHE - A cozy and festive atmosphere filled the inside of the historic little church at the Lac La Biche Mission Historical Site during a recent concert by the Edmonton-based VIF String Quartet.
Christmas at the Mission took place on Dec. 3 from 2-3 p.m. with the entrance fee being by donation.
The Christmas concert drew about 40 people inside the historic church which has sitting room for about the same number.
The Edmonton-based string ensemble's performance was preceded by an opening show put on by students from Ecole Beauséjour, who entertained the audience with Christmas carols.
Christelle Shepherd, the administrator for the Lac La Biche Mission Historical Site, stated that the acoustics inside the church and the setting for the afternoon performance was magical.
“It was great,” Shepherd told Lakeland This Week. “The setting was super 'Christmas-sy' as staff had decorated the church for the occasion.”
The festive spirit and music resonating around the church included a variety of well-known carols, classical Christmas pieces, as well as a few versions of more modern pop works such as ‘Last Christmas.’
“They finished the show with a few requests from the crowd,” Shepherd stated, adding that on of her favourite Christmas songs "Up on the Housetop" was one of the requests.
Church is 100.
According to Shepherd, the concert was a great way of bringing something special to the century-old church building.
While a mission site in Lac La Biche was first established in 1853 — 170 years ago this year, the church building was constructed 100 years ago, on the site.
“It is now officially centennial,” Shepherd said, adding that events such as concerts allow the Mission society to raise funds to host other activities. “We are definitely interested in hosting other shows at the church.”
Shepherd continued by saying that the VIF String Quartet doesn’t have a connection to Lac La Biche County, and that this was the group’s first visit to the area. Like those attending the concert, the ensemble members told Shepherd it was a perfect spot.
“They all loved the setting of the Mission by the lake,” she said.
