The orange tabby cat snuck stealthily into the bomb shelter pantry for weeks on end, gradually working away at the stash of rations. It was only found weeks later, when the stash of rations was gone.
The tale of the Prince of Orange feline that occupied the Athabasca United Church 1957-1963 is one of many stories a curious historical adventurer may learn while on a guided historical tour of the 104-year-old church this summer.
Minister Monica Rosborough said this is the Athabasca United Church’s way of sharing the history of Athabasca.
“Events like the fire in 1913 (have) had an impact not just on the church, but on the community,” she said. “There’s no museum in town. There’s no visitor information centre in town right now. so this is our way of promoting the history of Athabasca itself in general. It’s a little thing we can do to bring that history alive.”
Many people come in asking, “Why is this church here? It looks like a castle,” Rosborough said.
At the time of the church’s construction, Athabasca was in the running to be the province’s capital. The economy was booming and folks were flocking to the area. After the great fire of 1913 that destroyed much of the town – and the construction of the railroad – the steamboat industry was no longer in demand.
The church remained, and to this day much of the original building remains as well. While the building was restored in 1985, the great wooden door you walk through is the same that was put in in 1913. Some of the stain-glass window panels are also original.
As you are guided through the creaking sanctuary and corridors, your tour guide will tell you not only about the building itself – such as the “secret staircase” that was discovered during restoration – but the fascinating history in relation to the congregation.
“I think it’s fascinating how much the congregation has given to the community over the years and the community has given back,” Rosborough said. “This is not just a church. It is a community organization … People like Nancy Appleby and Alice B. Donahue and several mayors of the town were also members of the church, so it shows the church has always had a sense of wanting to give back to the community.”
For history buffs, it can be stimulating to hear about how the church was used as a bomb shelter. Or how the square formed by four pillars in the church’s basement curiously resembles that of a boxing ring, which may or may not have been used by members of the men’s group for the “British sport” of boxing.
“What happens in men’s group, stays in men’s group,” tour guide Colin Woodall said.
The tour is meant for folks of all ages, with a teddy bear hunt set up for kids who tag along. Tours are being done throughout August and Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the phone number to arrange tours in advance is 780-675-2341.
“There’s a lot of curiosity from people who are travelling through the area,” Rosborough said. “It’s a bit of a landmark. It is a historically designated building so it is a very special element of the history of Athabasca.”
Editor’s Note: In the Aug. 1 edition of the Athabasca Advocate the article “Legacy of the United Church” contained incorrect information. Tours are held Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the phone number to arrange tours in advance is 780-675-2341. In addition, the Church contained food stocks during the Cold War, not World War Two. The Advocate apologizes for the errors.
