Near Morley in Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

Building A Church

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

1. Building A Church Marker

Inscription.
In 1875 the Morleyville church was constructed entirely by hand from logs from surrounding timber.

John McDougall, his father, his son and schoolmaster Andrew Sibbald labored to construct the church measuring 47' X 26' 7" wide and 21' 8" high. For the initial construction only hand tools were available, all boards for floor and ceiling were whip-sawn and planed by hand.

Two years later, when Sibbald's saw mill was operating, boards and battens were cut to cover the log walls with vertical siding. In about 1900, new siding was added along with a steeple bell tower at the north end. The church was used until 1921 when a new church opened near the Indian Agency two miles west on the opposite side of the Bow River.

Their meeting house (church) is built on a small knoll & is a large building 45 x 25 ft.
It looks very well on its slight eminence, a bell is set up in front of it.
(Richard Nevitt, surgeon with the NWMP in a letter, May 7, 1876)

Erected by McDougall Stoney Mission Society; and the Calgary Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 51° 11.207′

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N, 114° 49.488′ W. Marker is near Morley, Alberta, in Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8. Marker can be reached from Bow Valley Trail (Provincial Highway 1A) 1.6 kilometers east of Morley Road (Provincial Highway 133X), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the McDougall Stoney Mission Historical Site, just south of the McDougall Memorial United Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morley AB T0L 1N0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Restoring the Church (here, next to this marker); Caretaker's Cabin (here, next to this marker); Establishing Morleyville (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stoney People (within shouting distance of this marker); The Methodist Missionaries (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. George MacDougall (within shouting distance of this marker); Morleyville Historic Mission (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); McDougall Memorial (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morley.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. McDougall Stoney Mission Historical Site

Marker detail: Morleyville 1876 image. Click for full size.

Glenbow Archives 74.7.58

2. Marker detail: Morleyville 1876

Painting by Mounted Police surgeon R.B. Nevitt showing the newly constructed church.

Marker detail: Morleyville Church image. Click for full size.

Glenbow Archives NA 1913-2

3. Marker detail: Morleyville Church

The church as it appeared from 1878 until about 1900 when the steeple was added.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

4. Building A Church Marker

(looking north • McDougall Memorial United Church —“Morleyville Church” — in background)

McDougall Memorial United Church — “<i>Morleyville Church</i>” (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

5. McDougall Memorial United Church — “Morleyville Church” (northwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.