St. Joseph Church, on the corner of 5 St. and 52nd Avenue, has
enjoyed a long history of serving in the community of Coalhurst.
But, before the building itself was erected, the needs of the
people were served by Rev. Julius Bidault 0. M. I., who from
19 10 to 1924 worked tirelessly for the faithful of Southern
Alberta. He said Mass on a monthly basis in various homes
and sometimes in the low school. It was when the school
burned down in Feb. 1920, that a building was purchased from
Mr. John Percival and set on the present site. A vestibule and
bell tower were added. It was a joyous day when all the people
of Coalhurst turned out for the raising and ringing of the mission
bell. On the bell the following is inscribed-

In the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 1926, His Holiness Pius XI
being Pope, His Holiness J. T. Kidd being Bishop of Calgary,
an Oblate of Mary Immaculate being missionary - for the
greater glory of Almighty God - I Maria Josephina, have been
donated to St. Joseph's Parish Church of Coalhurst, Alberta,
Canada, by parishioners and friends, my sponsors being Mr.
and Mrs. Augustus Ryan and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Morrissey,
Mr. and Mrs. Dominico Sorbora, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Philippe,
Mr. and Mrs. Sylvanis Purvis, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cash, Mr. and
Mrs. James 1. McDermott, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Pavan, Mr. and
Mrs. Alex Stetz, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brooks, Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Dickie, Dr. Warren W. Inkrote, Mr. and Mrs. John
Kehough, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McIntyre, Mr. and Mrs. William E.
McDermott, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walker, Mr. John T. Percival,
and Miss Dorothy Doran.

Finally, Coalhurst was prospering; in August of 1927 the Oblate
Fathers gave up their work with St. Josephs and the Coalhurst
Church became a full fledged parish with a new live-in pastor -
Rev. James McKinnon.

Father McKinnon was a very "visible" person to the people
of Coalhurst. He drove a big sporty Buick and ate all his meals
at either people's homes or local restaurants. But for him the
good times were short lived. He left a few years later just
as the fortunes of the Parish were beginning to go downhill.

During the 1930s, the efforts of two particular parish priests
are remembered. Rev. Patrick Violet, known for his gift
making and keeping friends of all religious denominations,
is also remembered for his violent temper. He was a busy man
as well, baptizing no less than forty-one babies and children
during his two year stay.

Rev. Frederick Foote arrived in August of 1934. His letters have
left us a poignant insight into the hardships of the depression.
Frugal as he was he could not pay for light, coal or water. In
May, 1936, he wrote Bishop Carroll in Calgary:

"In the past I have received considerable assistance from my
family and relatives in the East. Due to unemployment I can
no longer look for help there. I managed to struggle through
a terrible winter having to buy all the coal and church supplies
myself. I only take two meals a day because I can't afford three -
I am begging for the stark necessity with which to carry on. It's
only hunger and the importance of this work of salvaging a faith
that is lost among these people that induces me to beg."

The mine disaster had resulted in many families leaving Coalhurst.
Father Foote wrote the Bishop that a resident priest would face
almost impossible hardships; he left Coalhurst in July 1936.
The priests following him lived sometimes in the rectory and
sometimes in Lethbridge. It was decided to rent the house
and in 1937 the Parish of Coalhurst became a mission once
again, served by the Chaplains at St. Michael's Hospital,
Lethbridge.

The times were still difficult; the priests found that the success
of the mission depended upon the help of the parishioners who
still attended the Church. Father Thomas Kiley, the first of the
hospital Chaplain spent time getting the parish out of financial
troubles. Father James Smith, next to arrive was well liked and
able to instill a sense of participation in all, from the Choir and
altar servers to the children taking catecism lessons.

Father Edward DeBusschers, affectionately known as Father
Butch, organized a local theatre group and worked with the
youth of the area. Father J. N. Lebel, holds the distinction of
being the priest to spend the longest time at Coalhurst - eight
years. He organized work parties, encouraged rummage sales,
raffles and performed many, many marriages.

Father M. Campbell was responsible for getting the sacristy
built onto the church and Father Rupert MacLillan remembers
the parishioners as being a close knit group willing to try to
raise money for a new church which was never to be. Father
James Healy was the last of these Chaplains to serve St.
Josephs during this thirty year period.

Now, 1966, began a time of confusion and anxiety for the
future of the little parish. Finally, the parish came under
the supervision of St. Basils Parish in Lethbridge.

Rev. G. Murien, pastor of St. Basils and the many assistant
pastors served the parish as best they could as sometimes
there would be only a handful of people at church Sunday
mornings. The lack of interest in parish affairs, caused by a
falling off of youth attendance and people going to Lethbridge
for Mass, made it difficult for the priests to organize parish
activties. The church yard and building suffered; the bell
was no longer rung as birds had built nests in the tower. A
few faithful members kept the church and yard tidy but this
once active little parish was almost at a standstill.

Happily, in July of 1977, Father Clifford Crowley came to St.
Michael's Hospital as the new Chaplain and to undertake
another new duty - pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Coalhurst.
A parish Council was set up and with the new growth taking
place in Coalhurst the parish began to flourish once again
under Father Crowley's guidance. Rev. Anthony Kelly is now
the pastor; the parish continues to grow in all aspects of
parish life and has become an integral part of the total
community of the Village of Coalhurst.

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