top of page
St-Vital-21.jpg

Parish History

St. Vital Parish has been a cornerstone of faith in Beaumont since its establishment in 1894. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, our parish has grown alongside the families and individuals who call it home. From humble beginnings to the vibrant community we have today, we continue to honour our rich history while looking toward a future filled with hope and spiritual growth

1800

1894

Monsignor Vital Grandin, Bishop of St. Albert, contributes one-third of the land for a church site, which was chosen by Father Albert Lacombe.

vital_grandin.jpg

Monsignor Vital Grandin, Bishop of St. Albert.

1885-first-RC-Church-rect-A8983-500x450 (1).png

1895

A small, simple church is built, and Beaumont's own Roman Catholic Church celebrated its first Mass.

St. Vital Church, bell turret and rectory. (A8983)

1896

A twenty-square-foot log-hewn rectory is built.

1900-Beaumont-500x450 (1).jpg

J.E. Lavigne store on the left, St. Vital Church and Rectory on the right, ar. 1900. (A8718)

1900

St.-Vital-Steeple-1907-smallest-350x315 (1).jpg

St. Vital's Church Steeple is under construction.

1907

The church steeple under construction, ar. 1907.

1918

Tragedy strikes on the night of February 10, 1918, and the church is destroyed by fire. 

Church-bell-1-468x421 (1).jpg

What remains of the 800 pound church bell, after the 1918 fire.

After months of labour and devotion, the new church held its first mass on July 4, 1920

Fun Facts

The new church cost approximately $30,000.00 to build, even though everything except the cement was furnished and transported by the parishioners free of charge.

​​

Five hundred loads of sand were brought in, three hundred of gravel, six hundred of rocks, and fifteen hundred bags of cement. 

​

The lumber and bricks were brought from Leduc. 

​

As no machinery was available, the church’s basement was hollowed out by horses pulling scrapers.​

 

Huge tree trunks were installed to form the building's foundation.  

01

02

03

04

05

1921

Parishioners added a two thousand-pound bell to the bell tower.  It was blessed and named "Marie Vitaline" to recognize the church's patron saint.

1934

The Cross of Jacques Cartier was erected in 1934 under the patronage of the French Canadian Association of Alberta. 

Church Construction 1919 -1921.png

1919

Determined parishioners, with the supervision of a new priest, Reverend J.A. Normandeau, began to build a new church

St. VItal Parish under construction, 1919-1921.

1920

Screenshot 2025-01-13 122113.png

1935

By sponsorship of the Children of Mary, the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in 1935. 

Parishioners gathers around the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

1939

The statue of “The Sower" is installed.

The Sower.png
Screenshot 2025-01-13 122043.png

St. VItal Parish installs the statue, "The Sower".

1958

Present-day building is completed.

St. VItal Parish's current building is erected.

2000

2002

Tree trunk foundation was replaced by steel beams.

Saint_Vital_Roman_Catholic_Church_Beaumont_Alberta_Canada_01A.jpg

St. Vital's Parish as we know it today

2018

St. Vital Parish undergoes renovations.

1408565861.jpg

St. Vital Parish under it's most recent construction

2023

Fr. Les Drewicki joins St. Vital as our Parish Priest.

The Rock Youth Group

Fr. Les with St. Vital's the Rock Youth Group

Today

Special Thanks

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Beaumont & District Heritage Society for generously allowing us to share some of their remarkable photos, which offer a unique glimpse into the history of our parish and the people who have helped shape it. Their dedication to preserving local history is second to none, and we invite you to visit their website to learn more about Beaumont's rich history.

ST. VITAL

PARISH

St. Vital Parish,  4905 50th Street, Beaumont, AB, T4X 1J9  |  stvitalchurch@shaw.ca  |  (780) 929-8541

 Parish Office Hours: Mon - Fri: 8am-12pm, 1pm-4pm​

©2025 by St. Vital Parish

bottom of page