1807 – Simon Fraser, wishing to discover an easier supply route to New Caledonia, 
(now Fort St. James) and to Fort Fraser and Fort MacLeod, came to the junction 
of the Fraser and Nechako rivers and named his fourth post, Fort George, after 
King George, III of England.

1838 – Two Roman Catholic Missionaries came to work among the settlers and 
First Nation peoples in the Columbia Territory.

1842 – Father Modeste Demers reached Fort George. He baptized 5 children; 
it was the first Christian rite to be performed at Fort George.

1845 – Father John Nobili came north to visit Fort George where he held services 
for the First Nations and white people. Unfortunately the area wasn’t visited again 
until 1861, due to the shortage of missionaries.

1861 – The work of the church on the mainland was entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

1868 – His excellency Bishop D’Herbomez and Father McGuckin visited Fort George and 
spent several days instructing the First Nation peoples in the truths of the Catholic faith.

1873 – Fathers Lejac and Blanchet took up residence at Fort St. James and made regular 
visits, often on foot or by dog team, to Fort George. During their seven years of 
labour and self-sacrifice, the first church was built on the First Nations Reservation, 
which is now Fort George Park. Their successors were Father Marchal and Father Pandosy.

1885 – Father Morice came north and devoted 19 years working among the First Nation people 
in the Northern Territory. He was able to visit the Mission in Fort George twice a year, 
once in the spring and again in the fall. In addition to being a noted missionary 
Father Morice also gained distinction as a man of letters. Among his books, one of the 
best known to us in his “History of the Northern Interior of British Columbia.” Another 
major work was his two volume dictionary of the Carrier language. The government adopted 
his survey of the Interior as the first official government map of this part of the province.

1905 – Father Coccola, greatly loved by the First Nation people succeeded Father Morice in 
1905 and spent 40 years in the North. He made regular visits to Fort George until the 
First Nation reservation was moved to Shelley.

1912 – Father Coccola celebrated mass for the white population for the first time in 
Birch Hall, South Fort George.

1913 – At the beginning of the year there were two booming towns, South Fort George and 
Central Fort George. Real estate was opening up so rapidly and commercial interests 
swelled proportionately that the competition of these towns gave way to the new Prince George.

1914 – The first Catholic church outside the reserve was built by Father Rivet. It was 
situated on the south west corner of Fir Street and 17th Avenue and was blessed on 
September 14, 1914. The church was built by volunteer labour. The church records indicate 
that Peter Marvin was the first person to receive the Sacrament of Baptism and Leslie Seldon 
and Evelyn Peter were the first couple to be married.

1917 – Father Wolfe succeeded Father Rivet. An Altar Society was formed during his 
pastorate and Mrs. Belagno was its first president.

1920 – Father Le Ray became pastor. He built the third church in Prince George at the 
corner of Patricia Boulevard and Ingledew Street. It was blessed on Christmas Eve, 1924 
by his excellency Bishop Bunoz and named Sacred Heart Church. The parish building committee 
at that time was W. L. Hornsby; J.C. McKenzie and P.J. Moran. The architect was H. Wilson 
and the contractor was J. Gaul. The first person baptized in the church was Grace Goodwin, 
now Mrs. Corcoran. The first couple married was Wilfred Lowdell and Monica Long. 
The Catholic Women’s League was also organized with Mrs. Burbank as the first president.

1925 – From 1925 to 1936 the parish was served by Father Chartiers, Father Wolfe, 
Father Laparoux, Father Hammond and Father Tessier. During the depression years there was 
little advancement in Catholic activities in Prince George. 

1937 – Father Gilhhooley became parish priest and remained here until 1945. The parish 
population increased. During his pastorate the Catholic Youth organization was formed. 
The first president of the C.Y.O. was Jean MacMillan, nor Mrs. Purser of Merritt, BC. 
Father Gilhhooley envisaged the need of a Catholic School in Prince George and started a 
separate school fund for this purpose. A church was built at Salmon Valley during his 
pastorate. When Father Gilhhooley left in April 1945, the parish was served by Father Ryder 
and Father Lynch, then early in 1946 Father MacDonald was appointed parish priest.

1949 – During Father MacDonald’s pastorate the Sacred Heart School was built. It was 
blessed by His Excellency Bishop Jordan on October 30, 1949. The generosity of the S
isters of St. Ann made it possible to construct a school at this time. The parish had 
been able to raise only a limited amount and the sisters undertook the major portion of 
the financial burden. The parish grew rapidly and several organizations were formed. 
The Holy Name Society was organized with Dr. J. G. McKenzie as the first president. 
The Sacred Heart Credit Union, now the Spruce Credit Union became incorporated with 
B. Kennelly as its first president. Several other organizations were also formed 
including the Legion of Mary, the Home and School Association and the Catholic Drame Club. 
Father MacDonald was also responsible for initiating cubs and scouts. It was during 
his pastorate that a church at West Lake was built.

Father MacDonald was transferred to Kitimat in 1954.

1954 – The building which is now called the “Auditorium” was designed by “Trelle Morrow 
and the contractor was Dezell Construction Co. Ltd. It was finished in the fall of 1957 
and blessed by His Excellency Bishop Fergus O’Grady on October 6, 1957. In this new Auditorium 
which could hold close to five hundred parishioners three Sunday Masses were offered. 
A start was also made on the Catholic High School with Grade 9 and 10 to which extra grades
were added in succeeding years. The school provided education also to a number of First Nations
students who were boarded with parish families during the school year.

As a continuation of the education expansion program, His Excellency Bishop O’Grady 
planned a second primary school in the East end of the city. He purchased land on 
Peden Hill for a permanent Catholic High School and a future College to serve this 
part of the province.

Father Carroll began making plans for a new church and rectory on the next phase of the 
expansion program. The parishioners responded to another financial campaign to assure 
that sufficient funds would be available.

•	The church bulletin was started in 1946 under Father MacDonald’s pastorate 
	with the able assistance of Mrs. Smith.

•	The people in this area believe that the house at the corner of 17th Avenue and 
	Fir Street is the old church much remodelled.

•	Assistants during the pastorate of Father MacDonald and Father Carroll, 
	were Father P. Keane, Father Jackson, Father Silke, Father McNamara, Father Hettrick, 
	Father Redmond, Father Tunney, Father Shaw and Father McLennan. 

The year 1959 became a very busy year as arrangements were being made to sell the existing 
Catholic Church. The church was sold to the Ukrainian Catholics and it was moved to the 
southwest corner of 7th Avenue and Brunswick Street. The rectory was also moved to a site 
on Ingledew Street in order to leave the ground clear for the new church which was being 
designed by Trelle Morrow. In June 1960, the contract was awarded to Narod Construction Co., 
at a price of $219,560.00. An immediate start was made.

The new church was ready on time for the first mass to be celebrated on Christmas Eve 
1960 by His Excellency Bishop O’Grady. On April 5th 1961 in the presence of a packed 
congregation, the official opening and blessing took place.

The church is 116 feet long, 84 feet wide, and 60 feet high. The floor area is 6500 
square feet and has a seating capacity for 700. The first persons baptized in the 
church were Gerard Garden and Bernard Leslie. The first couple married was Claude Marquette 
and Erica Schober.

The new rectory was ready for occupancy on March 1st, 1961. Father Carroll is to be 
congratulated for his leadership, guidance and self-sacrifice as well as all those who 
participated in many ways to bring this immense project to completion. Father Carroll was 
transferred to Edmonton that year and Father Frank Rayner, remained as assistant from 1960 
to 1978. His humble and gentle manner captivated us all.

1961 – 1962 – Father William Molley, OMI, Pastor.

1962 – 1963 – Father Tracy – Pastor.

1963-1969 – Father Tom McNamarra, OMI, Pastor.

1968  - Sacred Heart made a Cathedral Parish, Bishop Fergus O’Grady, Pastor.

1969 – 1976 – Father J. V. O’Reilly, OMI, Rector. Fr. Raynor as assistant. 
       Others were Fr. Henry and Fr. Picke. At the death of Fr. O’Reilly, 
       Fr. Raynor became Pastor for approximately one year.

1974 – Father Gabriel Barcelos was assistant and became rector in 1976.

1976 – Father Gabriel Barcelos, Rector. Various assistants were Father Raynor, 
       Father Nick Cooney, Father Chris Dunne, Father Larry Turgeon, Jim Glendon and 
       Fr. Nicholas Forde.

1981 – Father John Dore, OMI, Rector. Father Karl Frankemolle, Assistant.

1987 – Fr. Tony Badana, Rector.

1989 – Fr. James Larkin, Rector.

1997 – Fr. Chris Lynch, Rector.

1999 – Fr. Bill MacDonald, OMI, Rector.

2002 – Fr. Paul Hampson, Rector.

2004 – Fr. Richard Beaudette, OMI, Moderator of Sacred Heart Cathedral and 
       St. Mary's Parish; Rev. John Garden, Assistant

2005 – Fr. John Garden, Rector.