Why Vote for Us? | Pourquoi voter pour nous ?
St. Sylvester’s Church, founded in 1852 as a Jesuit mission, is a treasured and frequently photographed landmark in Nipigon. Built by our ancestors from nearby forest logs, it has stood for 173 years as a symbol of faith and resilience for the Red Rock Indian Band. The church, completed in 1877, served as a rest stop for Jesuit missionaries traveling to nearby missions, while also witnessing countless baptisms, weddings, and farewells. The adjacent cemetery, with burials dating back to 1880, remains an active site where we continue to lay our loved ones to rest.
Unfortunately, structural issues have limited the use of the church in recent years. We aspire to restore the church so it can once again serve as a sacred gathering place where traditions are honored, stories are shared, and our community comes together. Winning the Next Great Save will allow us to conduct expert assessments and begin the necessary restoration work, preserving this historic landmark and ensuring that its legacy endures.
Your vote will safeguard this cherished piece of our history, creating opportunities for cultural education, tourism, and community pride while strengthening our connection to the past.
Our Project's Impact | Les effets de notre projet
Restoring St. Sylvester’s Church will bring significant benefits to the Red Rock Indian Band and the surrounding community by revitalizing a sacred and historic gathering space. Once restored, the church will serve as a multifunctional community hub, providing a venue for religious services, cultural ceremonies, youth engagement programs, and community events. It will enrich the local area by preserving an important heritage site, promoting tourism, and offering educational opportunities for visitors, students, and researchers to learn about Indigenous history and traditions.
The adjacent cemetery, which remains an active burial site, will also benefit from the project, ensuring a respectful and well-maintained space where families can honor their ancestors. This initiative aligns with The Next Great Save’s key goals by promoting inclusion through community engagement, championing heritage restoration and traditional craftsmanship by incorporating authentic building techniques, and reducing environmental impact by preserving the existing structure with sustainable materials.
The Red Rock Indian Band is the primary partner in this effort, leading the restoration process and ensuring that the church remains a vital part of the community. Additional partners will include local artisans, skilled tradespeople, historians, and cultural organizations who will contribute to the restoration and future programming of the site.
About This Place | À propos du lieu
St. Sylvester’s Church has stood as a symbol of unity and tradition for 173 years, playing a vital role in the history and heritage of the Red Rock Indian Band. Overlooking Lake Helen in Nipigon ON, this cherished site has witnessed countless moments of faith, community, and resilience. Below are some historical highlights that showcase the unique story of St. Sylvester’s Church.
• 1852: Jesuit Mission established and named OPOO-GAN-ASIN, meaning “Pipestone” in the Ojibwe language.
• February 29, 1852: First mass held in a Hudson Bay Company barn, led by Father Duranquet, who selected the church site with the help of Indigenous community members.
• 1877: Construction of the church began under the guidance of Father Duranquet (Waiashestkang, meaning “Gives Light” in the Ojibwe language). Built from logs cut from the nearby forest by Indigenous community members and Jesuit missionaries,
• 1878: The adjoining priest house was built by Father Joseph Hebert (Natainabow, meaning “Leader” in the Ojibwe language).
• Land Acquisition: Bishop Jamot secured 383 acres of land from the government to establish the church and cemetery.
• October 3, 1880: First recorded burial in the cemetery, which remains an active site today.
• October 7, 1880: The cross was blessed by Reverend Joseph Specht, SJM.
• July 13, 1884: The 300-pound church bell, gifted by Mr. Henri de la Ronde, was blessed by Bishop Jamot.
• Over the Years: The church served as a rest stop for Jesuit missionaries traveling to various missions in the region and became a sacred space for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and community events.
• Recent Years: Some restoration work has been carried out by community volunteers, but structural issues have limited the church’s use.
• Future Years: Once solutions are identified for the structural issues, Red Rock Indian Band will work towards implementing fixes and funding the project. Additional restoration plans include repairing the roof, interior and exterior painting, landscaping, and grave identification markers.
