My Story
My name is St Norbert Church after the St. Norbert's Church in Roxbury, Wisconsin from where some of the first settlers came. The small wood church that was built in 1910 by mainly German Catholics in the community named Rosenheim (meaning home of the roses) was becoming overcrowded so discussions began about building a new church, me.
In January, 1922, L. di Jurkowski of Hanna, Alberta submitted plans in the style of "Gothic Revival". It featured several distinctive Gothic characteristics; nave, side aisles, transept, apse, stained glass windows, rose window, dome, lantern and spire.
While I'm basically a Gothic style church, my dome is typically German Baroque. I include other interesting architectural elements such as my elliptical 'oeil-de-boeuf' below the drum of the dome, curvilinear buttresses and decorative brick-work.
Inside, I showcase a large Roman arch and dome over my altar, supported by well-proportioned Doric columns, A Maltese cross stained glass window graces the area above the choir and two identical stylized rose windows.
In January, 1922, L. di Jurkowski of Hanna, Alberta submitted plans in the style of "Gothic Revival". It featured several distinctive Gothic characteristics; nave, side aisles, transept, apse, stained glass windows, rose window, dome, lantern and spire.
While I'm basically a Gothic style church, my dome is typically German Baroque. I include other interesting architectural elements such as my elliptical 'oeil-de-boeuf' below the drum of the dome, curvilinear buttresses and decorative brick-work.
Inside, I showcase a large Roman arch and dome over my altar, supported by well-proportioned Doric columns, A Maltese cross stained glass window graces the area above the choir and two identical stylized rose windows.
By February, 1922, bids were received from various local suppliers of building materials. The architect specified 600 bags of Portland cement, 40,000 bricks, 53,000 cedar shingles and 11,600 tiles.
On April 14, 1922, H. Volk and Son of Macklin, Saskatchewan bid $6,645.00 to do all the concrete, brickwork, lathing, plastering, carpentry, and sheet metal work. On the page of the bid was an addendum. "If the tower is cut off at the dome, we will made a reduction of $100.00."
On April 22, Volk revised his bid to $6,000.
The lantern was deleted, a shorter spire was placed directly on the dome and the two side spirelets were changed to visually balance my massive horizontal thrust.
April 24, John Peter Ullman signed an agreement to excavate the basement for the price of seventy-five cents per cubic yard.
On April 14, 1922, H. Volk and Son of Macklin, Saskatchewan bid $6,645.00 to do all the concrete, brickwork, lathing, plastering, carpentry, and sheet metal work. On the page of the bid was an addendum. "If the tower is cut off at the dome, we will made a reduction of $100.00."
On April 22, Volk revised his bid to $6,000.
The lantern was deleted, a shorter spire was placed directly on the dome and the two side spirelets were changed to visually balance my massive horizontal thrust.
April 24, John Peter Ullman signed an agreement to excavate the basement for the price of seventy-five cents per cubic yard.
Many of my dedicated parishioners donated time, horses and wagons to haul supplies from Provost. Most of my Statues, Stations of the Cross, and fixtures were also donated by parishioners or families of the parish. And I was given a voice by the installation of a large bell.
I was dedicated and blessed by Archbishop O'Leary from Edmonton July 1923.
1922 to 1927 were good years for me and my families as the crops were good. 1928 and 1929 were not very good. The 30's were tough. During this time, due to lack of money and fuel, Mass in the winter months was held in my side altar. A special wall was put up and only a small part of me was heated.
In later years, during the winter, Mass was held in my basement where an altar had been built.
War broke out in 1939 and took many of my young men to fight for our country.
My architectural structure was so significant that during World War II the Canadian Air Force trainees in Alberta used me as an important navigation point in training their pilots.
Sadly, my doors were closed in 1968. But happily, my story doesn't end there.
I was dedicated and blessed by Archbishop O'Leary from Edmonton July 1923.
1922 to 1927 were good years for me and my families as the crops were good. 1928 and 1929 were not very good. The 30's were tough. During this time, due to lack of money and fuel, Mass in the winter months was held in my side altar. A special wall was put up and only a small part of me was heated.
In later years, during the winter, Mass was held in my basement where an altar had been built.
War broke out in 1939 and took many of my young men to fight for our country.
My architectural structure was so significant that during World War II the Canadian Air Force trainees in Alberta used me as an important navigation point in training their pilots.
Sadly, my doors were closed in 1968. But happily, my story doesn't end there.
I narrowly escaped being demolished in 1975 as the Archdiocese of Edmonton no longer wanted the responsibility of Rosenheim Church and grounds. A small gathering of interested people decided to buy me for one dollar from the Archdiocese. Thus the Rosenheim Historical Society was formed and I came under their care. A set of by-laws was drawn up and the organization joined the Society Act in 1976. My restoration had begun.
Culture Minister Horst Schmidt declared me, St. Norbert's, Rosenheim, an Alberta Historical Site in 1978.
Subsequent years have seen many refurbishments, restorations and additions to make me beautiful and useful once again.
I now look out over beautiful landscaping, 2 ball diamonds, a playground and a lovely cemetery that has many stories of its own to tell.
Culture Minister Horst Schmidt declared me, St. Norbert's, Rosenheim, an Alberta Historical Site in 1978.
Subsequent years have seen many refurbishments, restorations and additions to make me beautiful and useful once again.
I now look out over beautiful landscaping, 2 ball diamonds, a playground and a lovely cemetery that has many stories of its own to tell.
My Restoration
In a recent interview, Olga Ganser stated that she and her husband received a letter from Alberta's Minister of Agriculture and the local MLA Henry Ruste who acknowledged an earlier discussion about the possibility of me being designated as a historic site and he required more details. After a lot of back and forth and go here and go there, the initial request was turned down.
January of 1976, the Rosenheim Historical Society was formed to restore St. Norbert's Church and formal application was made in June 1976. It gives me great pleasure to announce that September 8, 1978 President of the Rosenheim Historical Society, Leo Ganser is told in writing by the Minister of Culture, Horst Schmid that "St. Norbert's Roman Catholic Church has been designated a Provincial Historic Resource" effective September 8, 1978.
January of 1976, the Rosenheim Historical Society was formed to restore St. Norbert's Church and formal application was made in June 1976. It gives me great pleasure to announce that September 8, 1978 President of the Rosenheim Historical Society, Leo Ganser is told in writing by the Minister of Culture, Horst Schmid that "St. Norbert's Roman Catholic Church has been designated a Provincial Historic Resource" effective September 8, 1978.