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

Morleyville Historic Mission

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

1. Morleyville Historic Mission Marker

Inscription.
The historic church at the end of this pathway was constructed in 1875.

At that time native people were still hunting bison on the prairies. The young nation of Canada was only eight years old; the Canadian Pacific Railway still nine years in the future. And this church would become the heart of a thriving community, Morleyville, and for a time the largest settlement in what would be southern Alberta.

The story of this church is really the story of Rev. George McDougall who moved to western Canada with his family in 1862 to minister to the fur traders and native people. In 1873, the McDougalls established the first mission in the region and built this church. In doing so, they wrote an important chapter of Alberta's settlement history.

We invite you to spend 20 minutes to discover the story of this church, the people who built it and what their lives were like. A series of signs around the site will share this story with you.

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

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

Location. 51° 11.273′ N, 114°

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49.549′ W. Marker is near Morley, Alberta, in Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8. Marker is on 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 parking area and entrance. 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. McDougall Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. George MacDougall (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Methodist Missionaries (about 120 meters away); The Stoney People (about 120 meters away); Establishing Morleyville (about 120 meters away); Building A Church (about 150 meters away); Restoring the Church (about 150 meters away); Caretaker's Cabin (about 150 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

Also see . . .
1. The Morleyville Site & History. McDougall Stoney Mission Society websute homepage:

This is the site of Southern Alberta’s first pioneer settlement, Morleyville. The Church was the heart of that settlement and Morleyville was the centre for over 200 people. Today it stands as a powerful reminder of our Western heritage and values.

(Submitted on January 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Morleyville Historic Mission Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

2. Morleyville Historic Mission Marker

(looking south from parking area • Church and Caretaker’s Cabin in background • marker on right)
Morleyville Methodist Mission
Statement of Significance & Heritage Survey 2013
Municipal District of Bighorn PDF
Click for more information.

2. Church restoration illustrates difficult path to reconciliation for Alberta's Stoney people.

(David Bell · CBC News · Posted: Aug 09, 2020)
A 145-year-old southern Alberta church went up in flames three years ago, and now its restoration has ripped open old wounds of residential schools — illustrating two opposing paths in a time of reconciliation. The people behind the restoration of the McDougall Memorial United Church hope it can be a symbol of communities that were once united and a starting point for conversations about the future. McDougall Church was built on land adjacent to the Stoney Nakoda First Nation community of Morley — roughly halfway between Calgary and Banff — by missionary George McDougall and his son, John, in 1875.

(Submitted on January 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

McDougall Memorial United Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

3. McDougall Memorial United Church

Built 1875
Mâkoche awiyetûbi ne yakuwabik wanîgazabi ke hnebi ne
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Proverbs Ch 22 v28

McDougall Memorial United Church (<i>north elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

4. McDougall Memorial United Church (north elevation)

McDougall Memorial United Church (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

5. McDougall Memorial United Church (northeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.