Kopernick
Formerly known as Quarrel Lake: later named Polska.
Father H. Beillevaire was the first priest to visit the Polish settlers in winter of 1903. Father P. Kulawy’s first Mass in the area was on Feb. 2, 1905 in a private home. In 1905, Fr. Paul Kulawy came from Edmonton several times a year to offer Mass, hear confessions, and perform baptism and marriages. On May 1, 1905 Fr. Kulawy blessed the graveyard.
In 1906, land was donated by Jan Szczuerek and Jan Miciak for a church site for a cemetery at N ½- 18-47-15-W.4 (5 acres). A chapel, 26’ x 16’, was built; the interior was completed in 1910. The walls were logs covered with lumber.
On March 6, 1907 Mass was said in the log church, and every second month a service was assured. On July 9, 1907, Bishop Emile Legal, OMI, came to administer confirmation mostly on 28 adults. He did not bless the church because it was too small.
In 1909, the parishioners donated their labour to build a larger church. The Canadian Church Extension Society of Canada donated $500.00 and the parishioners gave generously of their labour to complete the interior in 1910.
Bishop E. Legal, OMI, blessed the new church on June 09, 1912. He dedicated it to St. John Nepomucene.
From April 1915 until June 1916, Father Micael Dyminski came from Round Hill to serve the people. Previously, Fr. Denis, OFM, and Rev. Geldsorff, OMI shared in this pastoral work.
The church was enlarged in 1917 and a steeple was added and the whole building was painted. The church measured 40’ x 28’ with a sanctuary 18’ x 20’. The old chapel served as a rectory. Then Archbishop Legal kept his promise: he blessed the church in Kopernick in October 14, 1917 and dedicated it to St. John the Baptist.
In Feb. 1923, Fr. Raczaszek came from U.S.A. but he left after All Saints’ Day. Father Sylla was again in charge of Kopernick till January 1927. He was helped, however, by Fr. Aloysius Saszkiewicz, OFM and Fr. C. Holik, OMI in 1924.
Ever since 1961, Kopernick-Polska mission became part of Holden parish. The Kopernick church was closed in 1961.
Mass is celebrated in the church for funerals and on the Sunday closes to the Feast of St. John the Baptist.
No regular masses scheduled in Kopernick-Polska since 1998.
Father H. Beillevaire was the first priest to visit the Polish settlers in winter of 1903. Father P. Kulawy’s first Mass in the area was on Feb. 2, 1905 in a private home. In 1905, Fr. Paul Kulawy came from Edmonton several times a year to offer Mass, hear confessions, and perform baptism and marriages. On May 1, 1905 Fr. Kulawy blessed the graveyard.
In 1906, land was donated by Jan Szczuerek and Jan Miciak for a church site for a cemetery at N ½- 18-47-15-W.4 (5 acres). A chapel, 26’ x 16’, was built; the interior was completed in 1910. The walls were logs covered with lumber.
On March 6, 1907 Mass was said in the log church, and every second month a service was assured. On July 9, 1907, Bishop Emile Legal, OMI, came to administer confirmation mostly on 28 adults. He did not bless the church because it was too small.
In 1909, the parishioners donated their labour to build a larger church. The Canadian Church Extension Society of Canada donated $500.00 and the parishioners gave generously of their labour to complete the interior in 1910.
Bishop E. Legal, OMI, blessed the new church on June 09, 1912. He dedicated it to St. John Nepomucene.
From April 1915 until June 1916, Father Micael Dyminski came from Round Hill to serve the people. Previously, Fr. Denis, OFM, and Rev. Geldsorff, OMI shared in this pastoral work.
The church was enlarged in 1917 and a steeple was added and the whole building was painted. The church measured 40’ x 28’ with a sanctuary 18’ x 20’. The old chapel served as a rectory. Then Archbishop Legal kept his promise: he blessed the church in Kopernick in October 14, 1917 and dedicated it to St. John the Baptist.
In Feb. 1923, Fr. Raczaszek came from U.S.A. but he left after All Saints’ Day. Father Sylla was again in charge of Kopernick till January 1927. He was helped, however, by Fr. Aloysius Saszkiewicz, OFM and Fr. C. Holik, OMI in 1924.
Ever since 1961, Kopernick-Polska mission became part of Holden parish. The Kopernick church was closed in 1961.
Mass is celebrated in the church for funerals and on the Sunday closes to the Feast of St. John the Baptist.
No regular masses scheduled in Kopernick-Polska since 1998.
