A devastating call that came in the middle of the night has left many with heavy hearts.

Matt Foudy, with Morley Paramedics was second on scene to the McDougall Church Fire, "When I showed up it was pretty much fully involved, and that was about 3:30/4 o' clock in the morning. There was another man on scene and he called it in."

Cochrane RCMP, Rocky View Fire Services, as well as units from the Exshaw and Jamieson Road fire halls were all on scene, but with the fire burning fast and hot there wasn't much that could be salvaged. RCMP Constable Kathleen Fossen says from what she understands only a shell or a couple of walls remain standing. At this point, no cause has been determined but every avenue will be sought out.

"The Fire Investigator has been engaged, obviously it takes some time to get all the reports in and all the information gathered to determine what exactly did happen, but everything is being looked at at this point."

Dene Cooper, Reeve of the M.D of Bighorn, says while it would be devastating to find out the fire was caused intentionally, it could have been far worse."To have this fire on very dry days with the wind blowing and having it become involved in the prairie fescues around there and moving east...that would have been a disaster."

Cooper says he is taken back by the amount of history that is wrapped up in the 142 yr building. "When the McDougall's first put down roots there, they were hunting buffalo in order to provide meat for their winter season. That church has seen an awful lot of change on that landscape in 150 years. It is a tremendous loss to Albertans, and to the residents of the M.D of Bighorn, I would consider it irreplaceable."

Cooper adds at this point whether or not the historical landmark will be rebuilt remains unknown."There is a very active historical society that has been working with the church, they refurbished it in 1951 and they have been alongside that church ever since and I am not sure what that historical society would choose to do."

Whatever they decide to do the M.D of Bighorn will support the society. "Today we just don't know the future, today we are just sort of lamenting the loss."

Reeve Cooper commended the many volunteers who have done a remarkable job not only rebuilding the church back in '51 but being inclusive and extending the hand of fellowship to the many visitors that came through the historic site. "There are lots of people who will have memories of weddings and other ceremonies at that church and I am sure there are dozens and dozens of perspectives being shared this morning."'

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A Piece of History Burns Down