Edmonton church prepares for Pope visit, grand reopening after 2020 fire

Leaders and parishioners of Edmonton's Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples are getting ready for a grand reopening to welcome Pope Francis when he arrives next month.

It’s was invitation to visit Edmonton’s Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples Father Susai Jesu only hoped would have been accepted when he met Pope Francis back in April.

Now that the pontiff is coming, Jesu and parishioners are thrilled.

‘My prayer and our prayers answered,” Jesu said.

But the building is far from being in a welcome state for the head of the Catholic Church.

Ever since the building caught fire back in 2020, extensive renovations have been underway at the more than 100-year-old building.

‘If you were here and saw the parishioners at that time people, were standing here with tears running down their face,” Congregation member Ron Martineau said.

Remnants of a smudging ceremony lead to the fire, destroying much of the interior.

“We’ve been in the gymnasium across the street at Sacred Heart Learning Centre,” Parishioner Ron Martineau said.