The phrase “House of God” feels especially true at Our Lady of Assumption in Alert Bay. Nestled within a quiet neighbourhood, the chapel blends seamlessly into its surroundings—it could easily be mistaken for one of the homes nearby. That’s fitting, because this church doesn’t just feel like a holy place—it feels like home.
Built in 1943 and designed by local artist and parishioner Dorothy Studdy (née Bloomfield), Our Lady of Assumption is cozy and welcoming. In the back, a curtained-off kitchen quietly reminds you: this church isn’t just a place for worship, it’s a place for community. After Mass, the faithful gather there to share coffee, breakfast, and stories, reflecting on the Gospel reading and reconnecting with one another. The kitchen isn’t just an add-on—it’s the beating heart of this little parish.
I had the privilege of experiencing this firsthand during my recent pilgrimage to Alert Bay. On Friday, I attended a midday Mass with the three women who form the core of the parish. That day’s Gospel told the story of Martha and Mary—one of service, one of contemplation—and it resonated deeply with these women. They tend the chapel with loving care, watering roses, tidying pews, and welcoming every visitor as if they were family. After Mass, they served a delicious lunch to Fr. David John and me and shared stories of the parishioners who have come and gone over the years—people who helped shape this island parish.
The next day, I returned for a special morning Mass. This time, I wasn’t alone—I was one of 12 pilgrims. Some came from the Diocese of Victoria, one from as far away as Germany. Four others were my parents, my uncle, and my 88-year-old grandfather, all visiting from the mainland. For my family, this Mass carried special meaning—it was more than a stop on our pilgrimage. It was a revisiting of family history.
In 1958, my grandfather was stationed in Alert Bay as an RCMP officer. Not long after, a young nurse arrived on the island. He saw her walking up the street and said to his friend, “That’s the kind of girl I’d like to marry.” And two years later, he did.
Though their time in Alert Bay was short—just two years—it left an indelible mark. The friendships they formed were deep and lasting. One of those friends still lives on the island today.
My grandmother passed away last November after several years of illness. My grandfather stayed by her side throughout, but he frequently spoke of his hope to return to Alert Bay, to the place where their story began. Their shared Catholic faith was something that bonded them early in their relationship. Back then, it was often just the two of them at Mass. They helped maintain the church alongside the priest, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to parish life—wherever they lived.
They served their parishes in Richmond, Lake Country, and finally Kelowna faithfully: raising children in the faith, ushering, becoming Eucharistic Ministers, and joining the Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus. Their lives were rooted in love, service, and hope.
Much has changed in Alert Bay since those days. While the church building is no longer exactly as my grandfather remembered, it was a joy for him to return. At the start of Mass, Fr. David asked if anyone had any intentions to offer. We shared that this pilgrimage was in honour of my grandmother, who would have turned 89 that week. To pray for her with a chapel full of people—some family, some strangers, all faithful—was profoundly moving.
Hope lives in that church. It’s in the roses tended by careful hands, in the post-Mass breakfast conversation, in the Jubilee pilgrims who journey from near and far to visit this North Island site. It’s in the stories shared and the memories revisited.
If you’re considering visiting one of our local Jubilee pilgrimage sites, I can’t recommend it enough. The churches may be small, but their welcome is mighty. To worship with parishioners from distant corners of our diocese is to be reminded: we may be separated by geography, but we are deeply united in faith, in love, and in hope.
Photos provided by Cathy Higginson and Marie D'Souza
