Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, Gothic Revival Catholic church in McCauley, Edmonton, Canada.
The Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples is a Gothic Revival church in Edmonton's McCauley neighbourhood, designed by architect David Hardie and opened in 1913. Its nave holds murals and paintings by Indigenous artists, and the tabernacle stands inside a teepee. The interior also carries the medicine wheel, the rainbow as a bridge to the next world, and the eagle as a symbol of God.
The building was established in 1913 and originally served Edmonton's expanding population. In 1991, it became Canada's first National Indigenous parish, marking a significant shift in its role within the wider community.
Sunday Mass opens with a smudging ceremony, and the tabernacle stands inside a teepee. The nave holds murals and paintings by Indigenous artists, and the interior carries symbols such as the medicine wheel, the rainbow as a bridge to the next world, and the eagle as a symbol of God. An Eritrean community of about 600 still attends weekly Mass here.
The building is generally accessible during visiting hours, and guests can attend services or explore the interior spaces. It helps to check service times beforehand to plan your visit accordingly.
The tabernacle sits inside a teepee, and Sunday Mass opens with a smudging ceremony. The interior also carries a medicine wheel, the rainbow as a bridge to the next world, and the eagle as a symbol of God, with murals by Indigenous artists in the nave.
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