Parish History
Before the official establishment of St. Mary’s Parish on September 6, 1964, members of the clergy from Sacred Heart Church in Red Deer arranged to provide spiritual guidance to the parishioners living within the bounds of what was to become Red Deer’s second parish. In the beginning it was unofficially known as St. Thomas parish, probably because Masses were celebrated in the gymnasium of St. Thomas School.
The full and proper name of St. Mary’s Church is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
1964
September
The Parish is established, Douglas Cardinal is commissioned as the architect
Douglas Cardinal at St. Mary's construction site.
1966
June 26
Sod turning ceremony
1968
November
Construction is completed and the first Mass celebrated.
St. Mary's interior
1968
December 8
Consecration of the Church by Most Rev. Anthony Jordan, Archbishop of Edmonton
St. Mary's exterior
1995
December
Completion of the Parish Centre
Parish Centre exterior
2008
Fall
Rosary Garden is completed and blessed
1997
September 13
The Great Crucifix, by German sculptor Alois Marx, is blessed by Archbishop Joseph MacNeil
The Great Crucifix
2018
December 8
50th Anniversary of the Official Opening and Blessing of the Church
