Century-old church in Morinville destroyed by fire

An early morning fire that destroyed a century-old Catholic church about 30 kilometres north of Edmonton Wednesday is being treated as suspicious by RCMP.

The fire inside the St. Jean Baptiste Parish in Morinville is being investigated as arson, said Staff Sgt. Tom Kalis in an interview with CBC News. 

“Given the time and the circumstances around the event, as well as some evidence that we’ve initially been able to gather at the scene, suggests to us that we should be treating this as a suspicious fire,” Kalis said.

The fire began around 3:30 a.m. local time.

Surrounding homes and businesses including a seniors home were evacuated, Kalis said. 

The steeple on the church fell. Videos shared by witnesses on social media show the structure, engulfed in flames, collapsing. 

The church, located at 10034 100th Ave. on the town’s main thoroughfare, dates back more than 100 years.

The first rectory — a simple log structure constructed in 1895 — was moved and joined to a second building erected in 1912 to create the current rectory. 

WATCH | Video shows steeple on Catholic church in Morinville, Alta., being toppled by fire: