Eztikom

Etzikom is a small hamlet located in southern Alberta, Canada, within the County of Forty Mile No. 8. Known for its rural charm and proximity to natural prairie landscapes, Etzikom offers a quiet, close-knit community atmosphere. The area is characterized by expansive fields and open skies, typical of the Canadian prairies, making it a point of interest for those appreciating rural life and photography. Nearby attractions include the Etzikom Museum, which showcases local history and heritage, and the well-known Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum, highlighting the region’s rich paleontological significance. Its location provides peaceful surroundings while still being accessible to larger centres in southeastern Alberta.

Etzikom

St. Gabriels Catholic Church, (Evangelical Free Church in foreground)

In the early 1900s the Catholic population of the Etzikom area was small but growing. By 1919 Mass was regularly being celebrated by Fr. Bidault in the hotel, school, or private homes, and 5 lots were purchased from the CPR for a church site. Although there were only 3 families in the parish, Bishop Kidd encouraged the establishment of a Mission church. The property in a former lumber yard was purchased, a foundation was created for the office building which was moved onto it and volunteers renovated it for use as a church. On Oct 16, 1927 St. Gabriel’s Church was blessed by Bishop Kidd. The priest lived in Nemiskam until 1935 when he moved into the Etzikom hotel, then in 1941 he moved into a rented house in Foremost, and continued to serve a number of mission parishes in the area.

In May of 1946 the Church was completely destroyed by a cyclone! Later the old Doondale schoolhouse was bought for $1 and moved onto the old foundation. Once again volunteers renovated the building, creating a new St. Gabriel’s, which was blessed on Aug 9th 1949. Once again the population dwindled and the church was periodically closed, but then opened again in 1972. By 2000 the population of Etzikom and area was dropping rapidly, so the congregation asked the diocese to close the church. The last service was held on Dec 3, 2000. It was hoped to keep it as a historic site, but this could not be done, so it was unsuccessfully put up for sale. The remaining parishioners have had to live with the sight of a badly deteriorating building that used to be the heart of their spiritual community.

http://www.wroot.ca/exhibitions/remnants-community/three-churches-abandoned/

I was through Etzikom back at the beginning of August. I have through before prior to Covid, but it was quick stop. This time I stopped and snooped around a tiny bit. There are some great old buildings in these little ghost towns. Such history that is slowly disappearing.

St. Gabriels Catholic Church - 1946~2000