Saint Jean Baptiste Church.
Plaque reads: The Paris of St. Jean Baptiste began in 1891, when the first group of French-Canadian and German pioneers settled here, led by Fr. Jean-Baptiste Morin, Priest-Colonizer. This church, erected in 1907, replaced a small chapel to the west and a church to the north. The rectory was built in two stages, in 1895 and 1912. In 1929, church and rectory received the brick facing we see today.
The names of several priests are intimately connected with this parish. Father Morin gave his name to the town of Morinville. The new church was constructed during the pastorate of Fr. J.A. Ethier, the rectory under Fr. A. Gauthier. Renovation and restoration of these buildings was begun in 1973, under the guidance of Fr. Georges Primeau.
The church and rectory of St. Jean Baptiste were designated a registered historic site on 16 September 1974, by the Hon. Horst A. Schmid, Minister of Culture.
Photo courtesy of the Heritage Community Foundation.
