The St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Lac La Biche, northern Alberta, was tragically consumed by fire on July 1st. The call reporting the incident came in at around 6:30 a.m. on Canada Day. Lac La Biche RCMP issued a news release stating that the church had suffered extensive damage both inside and out.
While the cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed by the police, they have requested that residents in the area review their security camera footage for any suspicious activity during the early morning hours. Authorities are seeking assistance from the public to uncover any potential leads in their investigation.
According to the Anglican Diocese of Athabasca, the St. Andrew’s church has played a significant role in the community since its establishment in 1932. The Right Reverend David Greenwood, the bishop for the diocese, expressed his sadness over the incident, acknowledging the deep-rooted importance of the church to the local community throughout the years.
However, amidst the sorrow, Reverend Greenwood found solace in the fact that no injuries were reported and praised the swift response of the first responders, who were able to minimize the damage by extinguishing the fire rapidly. The congregation, although small, held regular Sunday services, while also actively engaging in charitable works within the community. They were notably involved with an organization called Stone Soup Food Centre, among other initiatives.
The extent of the damage sustained by the church remains unclear, and the possibility of rebuilding has not been determined yet. An image from the RCMP showcases the interior of the church in ruins, prompting the current evaluation of salvageable parts. Reverend Greenwood expressed his gratitude to those involved in assessing the damage and emphasized the importance of their efforts.
Although the potential for arson remains a concern, Reverend Greenwood viewed any intentional act of destruction as a symptom of the broader problems plaguing society. He urged for collective prayers and divine guidance to heal the underlying issues contributing to such incidents.
Regrettably, if this fire was caused intentionally, it would not be an isolated event. In May, St. Bernard Catholic Church in Grouard, Alberta, suffered a similar fate, leading to the arrest of two individuals who were charged with arson. Additionally, on May 19, an individual set fire to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary while attempting to force entry. Thanks to the courageous actions of two church staff members, disaster was averted as they managed to close the back door and ensure their safety. The Calgary Fire Department extinguished the flames.
These incidents are part of a disturbing trend involving the targeting and destruction of churches across Canada through arson attacks. Within the past two years, many churches have been damaged or completely destroyed by deliberate acts of fire.
This alarming series of events began with the discovery, announced by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation on May 27, 2021, of possible burial sites containing 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. As of now, the suspected sites have yet to be excavated. Following this revelation, numerous churches across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario were targeted and damaged or destroyed in acts of arson.
Earlier this year, The Epoch Times conducted an investigation into the status of the police investigations regarding these church burnings. The results showed that most cases had not resulted in charges or convictions, although a few individuals were charged and at least one conviction was obtained. Some cases remain open, while others have been closed, with the possibility of reopening if new evidence arises.
Reverend Greenwood expressed his hope for the best possible outcome, regardless of the cause of the recent fire. He extended his prayers and support to the affected congregation and the entire community in Lac La Biche. The town of Lac La Biche is situated approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Edmonton.
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