The “little white church,” or the McDougall Stoney Mission Church, a landmark that was once a quintessential Alberta scene has lain in heaps of rubble, ash and charcoal for more to a year following a fire caused by arson in May 2017. After a recent cleanup of the site, and an archeological dig last month, which turned up plaques, nails and other mementos, the McDougall Stoney Missionary Society has now come up with a new artistic way to help carry on the history of the 142-year-old church. Professional artists were sent craps of charcoal and will be exhibiting their drawings at the McDougall church site on Aug. 18. Brenda McQueen, the president of the McDougall Society, said it’s important to her that the history of the church continues to be shared. “It’s a historic site for Alberta, and it’s also worldwide known. You can go places and if you show people pictures of the little white church and they’ve been here in Alberta they’ve probably driven by it or have seen pictures of it elsewhere,” McQueen said. Enough charcoal was set aside for any community member or visitor hoping to take home a sooty piece of history too. McQueen said the initiative not only keeps the history alive but also contributes to tourism in the Cochrane, Canmore and Banff areas. “We want to broaden it because we want tourists to come by and see the historic site and be part of it for the history of Alberta.” There are two locations in Cochrane you can pick up the charcoal, the Cochrane Visitor Information Centre and Deja Brew Cafe. Memories of the church – and the physical remnants – are making their way around the world too. Cochranite Mick Gee, who pitched the idea to include a community aspect to McDougall Stoney Mission Society in light of their upcoming artist event, said visitors from as far as Japan, India, Australia and the United States have picked up the charcoal. The goal, Gee said, is to encourage visitors to draw their memories of the Alberta church using the charcoal and then have them send it (original or a copy) back to the society to be used in future exhibitions. “They can’t see the church anymore because it’s gone, but they can have a piece of the church albeit in the form of charcoal,” Gee said. “It’s a great project, it’s about raising awareness for the church, I’d encourage people to go to the website of the church to see their future plans and just getting involved.” “Doesn’t matter if you can draw or not you can take a piece of history.” The McDougall Stoney Mission Society has set up a GoFundMepage to help finish the cleanup phase of the site. For more information or to donate, visit www.McDougallStoneyMission.com.
