{"id":4160,"date":"2023-01-28T09:08:28","date_gmt":"2023-01-28T15:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/?p=4160"},"modified":"2025-03-11T11:58:06","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T17:58:06","slug":"the-history-of-st-joseph-seminary-in-edmonton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-history-of-st-joseph-seminary-in-edmonton-4160","title":{"rendered":"The History of St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Archbishop <strong>Henry Joseph O\u2019Leary<\/strong> played a key role in establishing a <strong>seminary in the province<\/strong>, becoming one of the first to build a strong foundation for <strong>clergy formation in Edmonton<\/strong>. How did it all begin? Learn more in this article on <a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/\"><strong>edmonton1.one<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e93295e8b8\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e93295e8b8\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-history-of-st-joseph-seminary-in-edmonton-4160\/#How_It_All_Began\" >How It All Began<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-history-of-st-joseph-seminary-in-edmonton-4160\/#Expansion_and_the_Construction_of_a_New_Seminary\" >Expansion and the Construction of a New Seminary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-history-of-st-joseph-seminary-in-edmonton-4160\/#The_Connection_Between_Newman_College_and_St_Joseph_Seminary\" >The Connection Between Newman College and St. Joseph Seminary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-history-of-st-joseph-seminary-in-edmonton-4160\/#The_Formation_of_the_Society_of_St_Sulpice\" >The Formation of the Society of St. Sulpice<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_It_All_Began\"><\/span><strong>How It All Began<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"638\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2025\/03\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2025\/03\/image.png 638w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2025\/03\/image-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>1894<\/strong>, a building located at the <strong>corner of 110th Street and 100th Avenue<\/strong> belonged to the <strong>Oblates of Mary Immaculate<\/strong>, an institution for higher education. The <strong>active missionary work of the Oblates<\/strong> in <strong>Western Canada<\/strong> inspired <strong>Archbishop \u00c9mile Legal<\/strong> in <strong>1917<\/strong> to convert the institution into an <strong>Oblate School<\/strong>. By <strong>1919<\/strong>, a <strong>chapel<\/strong> and several additional rooms had been added to accommodate growing needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the <strong>mid-1920s<\/strong>, the <strong>school building was too small<\/strong> to house the increasing number of <strong>Oblates and diocesan seminarians<\/strong>. Archbishop <strong>O\u2019Leary<\/strong> envisioned establishing a <strong>full-fledged seminary<\/strong>. Learning that the <strong>Oblates planned to relocate<\/strong>, he <strong>entered negotiations<\/strong> and successfully secured the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>1927<\/strong>, the <strong>Oblates moved to their new location in Lebret<\/strong>, and in <strong>September of the same year<\/strong>, Archbishop <strong>O\u2019Leary officially opened St. Joseph Seminary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The seminary\u2019s first rector was <strong>Rev. James McGuigan<\/strong>, who served as the <strong>Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Edmonton<\/strong>. Upon its opening, the seminary welcomed its <strong>first class of 50 students<\/strong>, who came from across <strong>Western Canada, the British Isles, and Ireland<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>spring 1930<\/strong>, after <strong>McGuigan was appointed Archbishop of Regina<\/strong>, <strong>Rev. M.C. O\u2019Neill<\/strong> took over as rector. A year later, <strong>O\u2019Neill was called to military service<\/strong>, and his successor, <strong>Howard Griffin<\/strong>, led the seminary for the next <strong>25 years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over its first <strong>30 years<\/strong>, St. Joseph Seminary <strong>graduated more than 300 students<\/strong>, most of whom went on to serve in the <strong>Archdiocese of Edmonton<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Expansion_and_the_Construction_of_a_New_Seminary\"><\/span><strong>Expansion and the Construction of a New Seminary<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Following <strong>World War II<\/strong>, St. Joseph Seminary entered a period of <strong>significant growth<\/strong>. In <strong>1955<\/strong>, its leadership decided to <strong>build a new seminary facility<\/strong>. They purchased <strong>more than 100 acres of land<\/strong>, located <strong>two miles south of St. Albert<\/strong>. <strong>Bishop Nelson<\/strong> was assigned as the <strong>project overseer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most active contributors to the project was <strong>James McGuigan<\/strong>, the seminary\u2019s <strong>first rector<\/strong>. On <strong>September 26, 1957<\/strong>, St. Joseph Seminary <strong>officially relocated<\/strong> to its new premises. The grand opening was attended by <strong>bishops from across Central Canada<\/strong>. The <strong>new facility could accommodate 80 students<\/strong>, providing them with modern living and study conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>1965<\/strong>, <strong>Rector Howard Griffin passed away<\/strong>, and <strong>Rev. Alois Schen<\/strong> was appointed to replace him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Connection_Between_Newman_College_and_St_Joseph_Seminary\"><\/span><strong>The Connection Between Newman College and St. Joseph Seminary<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>1969<\/strong>, <strong>Newman College was formally established<\/strong> on the <strong>grounds of St. Joseph Seminary<\/strong>. Though <strong>separate institutions<\/strong>, both shared a <strong>common mission<\/strong>\u2014to serve the <strong>Church in Western Canada<\/strong>. They also operated in <strong>the same building<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notably, <strong>Newman College&#8217;s academic curriculum mirrored that of St. Joseph Seminary<\/strong>, ensuring a <strong>strong theological foundation<\/strong> for its students. As an <strong>accredited post-secondary institution<\/strong>, <strong>Newman College became an integral part of St. Joseph Seminary\u2019s academic structure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Formation_of_the_Society_of_St_Sulpice\"><\/span><strong>The Formation of the Society of St. Sulpice<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxdasgadqkjlccygx61a3akzfryedurloy4thuelm3rwskowtfljew9ycvnii1tnhafbgteaaolneduweukhi-q5i1mdvqcjc_ziui_12m0nuxvyswidawtt8j1zoszi7ci-pv1mmqkeyyuttsalqosne9eqdlrgaq2w3.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another <strong>important transformation<\/strong> occurred in <strong>1990<\/strong>, when the <strong>Society of St. Sulpice<\/strong> was established within the seminary. The <strong>Sulpicians specialized in the formation of priests<\/strong>, bringing <strong>distinguished clergy members<\/strong> to teach at St. Joseph Seminary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For decades, the <strong>seminary lacked a dedicated library<\/strong>. This changed in <strong>1997<\/strong>, when a <strong>library was officially opened<\/strong> within the institution, providing students with access to <strong>essential theological resources<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>2007<\/strong>, a decision by the <strong>provincial government<\/strong> required <strong>both St. Joseph Seminary and Newman College to relocate<\/strong>. Their <strong>new home<\/strong> was designated in the <strong>Ottewell neighbourhood<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the decades, <strong>St. Joseph Seminary has trained more than 500 clergy members<\/strong>. Today, in the <strong>21st century<\/strong>, the institution <strong>continues its mission<\/strong>, upholding its <strong>tradition of excellence<\/strong> in <strong>theological education and priestly formation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Archbishop Henry Joseph O\u2019Leary played a key role in establishing a seminary in the province, becoming one of the first to build a strong foundation for clergy formation in Edmonton. How did it all begin? Learn more in this article on edmonton1.one. How It All Began In 1894, a building located at the corner of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":469,"featured_media":4171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1166],"tags":[2819,2817,2818,2822,2824,2825,2821],"moimportance":[81],"motype":[1158],"moformat":[83],"class_list":{"0":"post-4160","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-education","8":"tag-construction-of-the-seminary","9":"tag-edmonton-seminary","10":"tag-history-of-the-creation-of-the-seminary","11":"tag-oblates-of-the-immaculate-conception","12":"tag-seminarians","13":"tag-society-of-st-sulpicius","14":"tag-st-josephs-seminary","15":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","16":"motype-eternal","17":"moformat-vlasna"},"modified_by":"Katya Koshevaya","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/469"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4160"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4170,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4160\/revisions\/4170"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4160"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=4160"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=4160"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=4160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}