It all began in 1891 with the arrival of the first contingent of settlers from Quebec under the guidance of Father Jean Baptiste Morin. It was Bishop Vital Grandin OMI and Father Lacombe who contacted Father Morin t0 spearhead a Quebec recruitment of Catholic migrants to come west. He was successful and they formed St. Jean Baptiste Parish in the region known as Egg Lake Country and Grand Brute; the new community was named Morinville, NWT.

Over 125 year later, we look back in awe at the hardships, great faith, and perserverance of our forefathers. Many milestones, hardships as well as triumphs, have occured on the journey of the creation of St. Jean Baptiste Parish. To quote Sister Alice Trottier, Filles de Jesus; “The faith and tenacity of both clergy and faithful pioneers is very inspiring”

We are celebrating seventeen different pastos as well as many assistant or associate pastors and are grateful to each and very one of them. Their pictures follow with years of service here in Morinville.