Three hundred people came together Saturday evening to show their support for Notre Dame Church at its first fundraising banquet, an event they hope to hold every two years.
With silent and live auctions, a raffle and the fact that the Tropical Inn provided the dinner at no cost to the fundraising committee, several thousands of dollars were raised to put toward maintenance of and repairs to the 85-year-old building.
Fundraising committee member Theresa Wiegers, in thanking all those who attended, the more than 60 businesses and individuals who donated auction items and all those who otherwise contributed, said she was "momentarily at a loss for words" at the overwhelming support showed.
The event was sold out, she said, and one supporter even contributed a cash donation when she couldn't get a ticket.
Although the parish celebrated its 105th birthday this past summer, the church itself was not built until 1925. The cornerstone was laid and blessed by Bishop Brodeur Aug. 23, 1925 and construction was completed in 1926. The church was fully paid off in 1947, when then-pastor Father Ludovic LaRose celebrated by burning the mortgage. Booklets and DVDs are available for purchase at the Notre Dame Church and will be available for viewing at the City's archives by appointment.
Today, the church is presided over by Reverand Father Gerard Legaspi, who is in his third year at Notre Dame. He was happy to be the pastor who was involved in the creation of a record of history of the parish itself and in the donation of a copy of it and an accompanying booklet to the City of North Battleford Historic Archives.
Over two years, parishioners brought in memorabilia and photographs and others shared their memories to complete the project.
The parish itself has its roots in the St. Vital Parish of Battleford. In 1905 the pastor of St. Vital, Father André Bigonnese, started taking the ferry over to North Battleford, where he would preside over masses in family homes.
Between 1905 and the building of the current Notre Dame Parish Church, masses were held in a variety of locations, including the top floor of the original Notre Dame School.
In 1918, Father Jean-Marie Laparoux roused support for a new building and began fundraising efforts. He was transferred in 1924 and never saw the building of the church, however, the succeeding pastor, Father Pierre Cozanet, saw the project to completion.
