History
(Reprinted with permission from "Archdiocese of Regina - a history", Regina, 1988.)
By 1890 people were settling in the area around Estevan. French-speaking Catholic families
came from Batoche, Qu'Appelle, and other parts of the North-West Territoires to settle along
the Souris River. Names like, Blondeau, Gardipie, Klyne, Pelletier, Gosselin, and Lajimodiere
appear in the records. Some members of St. John the Baptist Parish are descendants of these
families.
In the early days, southern Saskatchewan was under the jurisdiction of the bishop of St. Boniface,
Manitoba. Missionaries from Forget, where the LaSalette Fathers were established in 1899,
were entrusted with the care of the religious needs of a large part of southeastern Saskatchewan.
Rev. Oscar Kuonen, M.S., appears to have been one of the first to visit Estevan. He laid the
groundwork for the parish.
With the influx of more settlers from Eastern Canada, parts of the United States, and Europe,
and the resulting increase in Catholics, the need for a church became apparent. In 1903, a
frame church was build about where St. John's School now stands and placed under the patronage
of St. John the Baptist. Rev. Joseph Luyten, M.S. was appointed the first parish priest. In
October the first mass was celebrated by Father Luyten, and in the same year, Archbishop Langevin
of St. Boniface celebrated the first confirmation. The new church was blessed by the archbishop,
possibly on the same occasion.
By 1914, the number of Catholic parishioners had grown so large that the parish was considering
building a larger church. In fact, plans for a new church had already been filed in the town
hall in 1910. After the parish decided to go ahead, work began with the excavation of a large basement.
However, in the late summer of 1914, the First World War broke out, so the basement was roofed
over and used as a church. Ten years of drought and recession in the thirties, and the Second
World War intervened before construction was resumed. The church was finally completed in 1955.
The original St. John the Baptist Church was sold to the Salvation Army. It was moved to the
corner of Third Street and Eleventh Avenue, where it stood until 1949, when the Roman Catholics
of Macoun purchased it and had it moved to their village, where it is still in use today.
In 1927 Father Richard, M.S., a young priest, became pastor of the Estevan parish. While he was
pastor he had to deal directly with the language problem and the miners' riot. He also set up the
first council of the Estevan C.W.L. in 1931. He was replaced in 1939 by Father Breault, M.S., the
last of the LaSalette Fathers.
The original Estevan church and rectory in 1912. The church was built in 1903. The lean-to at the back was the original rectory (1903-05).
Photo courtesy of Archdiocesan Archives
The second rectory (1905-65).
Photo courtesy of Archdiocesan Archives
St. John the Baptist Church (1914-54).
Between 1941 and 1945, the LaSallette Fathers retired from the archdiocese, transferring their
parishes and missions to the diocesan clergy. The last of the LaSalette Missionaries, Rev. William
Breault, M.S., left Estevan in 1941. Right Reverend Monsignor P.F. Hughes was the first diocesan
pastor of St. John the Baptist Church.
The missionaries of LaSalette endured many hardships in the early days of settlement. They
travelled miles over prairie trails in horse-drawn vehicles during the heat of the summer and
the cold of winter, often offering up mass in the homesteaders' sod shacks. Yet, these dedicated
missionaries succeeded in laying the foundation of many flourishing parishes, all started shortly
after the turn of the century.
The following LaSalette priests served St. John the Baptist Church: Reverends Joseph Luyten, M.S.,;
Oscar Kuonen, M.S.(who returned to Estevan for a while after Father Luyten was transferred);
Jules Morard, M.S.; Auguste Dupraz, M.S.; P. Rivoire, M.S.; Marius Michel, M.S.; M. Grapeau, M.S.:
V.T. Rivoire, M.S.; Francois Gerboud, M.S.; C. Socquet, M.S.; A. Zehner, M.S.; A. Cruveillier,
M.S.; J. Zimmerman, M.S.; E.J. Plattier, M.S.; F. X. Richard, M.S.; T. Lincks, M.S.; E. DuBusschere,
M.S.; P. Beaulieu, M.S.; T. Nolan, M.S.; and William Breault, M.S.
Right Reverend Msgr. P.F. Hughes, who replaced Rev. William Breault, M.S., in 1941, had served
for many years as a missionary in northern Alberta among the Indians. During his fifteen years in
Estevan, he was assisted by a number of priests, some of whom were Fathers Schlosser, Charette, and
Ripplinger.
Father Hughes extended an invitation to the Sisters of Loretto to open a catechetical centre in
Estevan. Three nuns arrived in 1945 with Mother Superior Benedicta Fahlman. They moved into the
McLeary and the McIlvenna houses, using one for a residence and the other for catechism lessons.
With Msgr. Hughes, they went into the country visiting families, teaching religion at Bienfait,
the airport, Estevan, and other centres. They assisted with the choir and other church organisations,
put on concerts with the children, and set up a children's library. By 1962, the Sisters of Loretto
had erected a convent on Valley Street, at the end of Twelfth Avenue.
Under Msgr. Hughes' leadership, the Estevan Separate School District No. 27 was formed in 1953.
In the same year the parish erected a school just east of the basement church and named it the
Immaculate Heart School. The Sisters of Loretto staffed and administered the school.
The time had now come for the completion of the church. Because of the growth of the parish,
the basement had to be enlarged before the construction of the superstructure. While the church
was under construction, the basement of Immaculate Heart School was used for Sunday masses.
It was a momentous day for St. John the Baptist Parish when His Grace, Archbishop M.C. O'Neill
blessed the new church and the Immaculate Heart School. The organising that preceded the building
and the sacrifices
Archbishop O'Neill, Msgr. P.F. Hughes and Rev. Len Albers preceding a confirmation in the early 1950s.
Photo scanned too poorly from book to include...we are searching for the original photograph,
and will scan it once available.
Photo courtesy of Archdiocesan Archives
made by the parishioners in labour and financial contributions, were remarkable
and are a tribute tot he Catholic people of Estevan.
In 1956, Monsignor Hughes retired after fifteen years of dedicated work in the parish. Rev. G.E.
Mulligan, who had served as chaplin in the R.C.A.F. during World War II, succeeded him.
During Father Mulligan's pastorate the parish continued to beautify and furnish the new church.
Stained-glass windows were installed in the scantuary. In the centre was a rose window depicting
Christ blessing the Bread and Wine; to the left, a window depicting the sacrifice of Melchizedek;
and to the right, a window depicting the sacrifice of Isaac. Ten stained-glass windows, having the
Ten Commandments as their theme, were installed in the main part of the church. Later, the Holy
Family Window and the Rosary Window were added to the transepts, the Baptism of Christ by St. John
the Baptist was placed in the choir loft, and the St. Pius X and Our Lady of Perpetual Help
windows were installed facing out toward Twelfth Avenue. Oak pews were installed, and a liturgical
altar was donated by the Schwegman family.
Rev. Jerome Schwegman, S.J., a native son, celebrated his first solemn mass in the parish, and
Rev. Fred. Doll, also from the Estevan area, celebrated his silver jubilee here.
Owing to the increasing enrolment in the Immaculate Heart School, more schools had to be built.
During the winter of 1958/59, Sacred Heart School was built in the northwest part of the city.
Grade nine was added to the system in 1960, grade 10 in 1961, grade 11 in 1962, and grade 12
in 1963. In July 1962, construction began on a school next to the Loretto Convent on Valley Street.
The school was named St. John the Baptist School. About 200 elementary students attended there.
High-school students were housed in the Immaculate Heart School, near the church. Because of
overcrowding, the school board decided to reorganise the schools and the students. The school on
Valley Street became the Immaculate Heart High School, and the school next to the church became
St. John the Baptist School, or simply, St. John's School. In 1964 a fourth separate school, St.
Mary's was built in the northeast part of the city.
In the years following the building of the first separate school, the school and parish transported
students from surrounding areas with a jeep, a ranch wagon, and a wartime passenger bus.
Thanks to several interested parishioners and Mr. J.P. Miller, a former school superintendent,
the Estevan School Unit was persuaded in 1961 to transport these students on their busses and let them off
at the separate schools.
Before 1964 there was no provision allowing separate high schools to benefit from municipal taxes.
Consequently, they depended on raffles and donations. Later on, they received some continuation
grants. Fortunately, arrangements were made, whereby the Estevan Collegiate rented the separate
high school, and placed all teachers on their payroll. Technically the Estevan Collegiate operated
the school, but they always did so in accordance with the wishes of the Separate School Board.
In the spring session of 1964, the provincial legislature passed Bill 53, which provided for the
formation of separate high-school districts having their own tax base. However the Estevan boards
decided on an alternate option.
At this time, the federal government provided substantial financial aid for the construction of
comprehensive schools. After lengthy discussion, the Estevan School Unit, the Estevan Collegiate
Institute, and the Separate School District combined their resources and built Estevan Comprehensive
School. Classes began in the fall of 1969. The first principal was Ed Lucotch. One of the concessions
was that the Separate School Board would have the
Msgr. Hughes built the superstructure of St. John the Baptist Church in 1955, completing the church on which construction had begun in 1914. Offices and rectory at right were added in 1965.
Fr. Mulligan, parish priest of Estevan (1956-1964) with his twin sister.
right to engage a teacher for a Christian ethics class that would be available to students as a
credit class. The Comprehensive School Board consists of board members from all three jurisdictions.
Since grade nine was to remain in the elementary system, the separate high school on Valley Street
became Immaculate Heart Junior High, comprising grades seven, eight, and nine.
After the departure of Rev. G.E. Mulligan in 1964, Rev. C.S. Godin took over the administration
of the parish.
The living accomodations for the priests have varied over the years. The first fram church, built
in 1903, had a small lean-to attached to it that served as the rectory. The room was about twelve
feet square and was sparsely furnished with a cot, table, and a chest. In the early days,
confessions were heard at the entrance of this annex. The priest "batched" here with the
assistance of the ladies and the farmers who donated food, produce, and farm supplies.
In 1905, Dr. Davies erected a spacious, and attractive, brick house on Twelfth Avenue and First
Street. Within a short time it was sold to the parish and served as a rectory for nearly sixty
years. It was demolished under the direction of Father Godin, when the present rectory was built
in 1965. The present rectory, a modern and architecturally attractive building, serves not only
as a home for the clergy, but also as a centre for parish activities. In it are offices, a library,
and rooms for meetings, classes, and social activities.
Father Godin was succeeded by Reverends M. J. Hogan, W. A. Wadley, and K. E. Miller, the present
parish priest.
Under Father Hogan, the parish council was formed in 1967. The following have sat as chairman:
Ray Ficther, 1967-69, Judge Robert E. Lee, 1970, Dr. Robert Kosoloski, 1971, Don Elson, 1973,
John Barabash, 1974, Ted Bergerman, 1975, Ernie Sali, 1976, Joe Donauer, 1977, Dr. D. Kirchgesner,
1978, Eldon Gibson, 1979-80, Leo Seipp, 1981-82, Robert Waldegger, 1983-1984, William Owens,
1985-1986, Larry Wingert, 1987-July 1987, and Al Wempe, July 1987-present.
On invitation by Father Wadey, the Sisters of the Cross came to Estevan on 29 August 1978 to
give assistance in St. John the Baptist Parish. Sister Fleury helped catechists in the rural
parishes of Midale and Macoun and helped parents whose children were not receiving religious
instructions in school teach catechism. In 1979 Sister Fleury went to Montmartre.
Sister Clementine Bedard assumed responsibility for the pastoral care of the elderly and
shut-ins. Yearly communal anointing of the sick and elderly was celebrated in the parish, at
Creighton Lodge, and the nursing home. She was also instrumental in setting up two Bible classes
for senior citizens and a library on wheels. Sister Clementine regularly visited approximately
105 sick and elderly people. Her work has been continued by Phyllis Ludwig and Sister Josepha,
I.B.V.M.
Since the formation of the parish council, there has been continuous development and increased
activity in the parish. In 1978, the parish team of the newly established Catholic Centre consisted
of the following: Rev. W.A. Wadey, pastor; Rev. Gary Kuntz, associate pastor; Bill Holmes,
coordinator of adult education; Catherine Holmes, catechist for Benson Parish; Sister Beatrice
Andrews, C.S.J., religious consultant for separate schools; and Sister Clementine Bedard,
F.d.I.C., in charge of visitation of shut-ins.
The present pastoral team (1987) consists of Rev. K.E. Miller, pastor; Rev. Lorne Crozon,
associate pastor; Sister Emily Hittel, O.S.U., coordinator of adult education; Sister Josepha
Brown, I.B.V.M, pastoral care; Sister Johanna Mildenberger, I.B.V.M., Home Religion Program;
Bernadette Cey, youth worker; Antoinette Prokosch, music coordinator; and Carol Van De Woestyne
and Mary Jane Ganje, parish secretaries.
The parish council members for 1985 were Rev. K.E. Miller, pastor; William Owens, chairman; and
David Meckler, vice-chairman.
Palm Sunday procession in 1972. Lyle Gervais leading the donkey. Loretto Convent and Immaculate Heart Junior High in background.
Frs. Wadey and Banga lead the faithful in the 1972 Palm Sunday procession.
The committee chairpersons are Len Ernst, Liturgy; Margaret Daoust, Parent-Teacher-Priest;
Joyce Bonokoski, Adult Education; Joe Claude, Buildings and Grounds; Lloyd Shanner, Finance;
Eva Hagel, Public Relations; Sr. Suzanne Casteels, C.S.J., Social Action; Hedy Cote, C.W.L.; and
Guy Chicoine, Knights of Columbus.
Rev. Ken Miller and Rev. Lorne Crozon are also in charge of the following parishes: St. Monica,
Bienfait; St. Joseph, Midale; and Immaculate Conception, Macoun. Sacred Heart in Benson was
assigned to the pastor of Lampman on 1 September 1987.