Based on coverage from Global, CTV, Western Standard, and CityNews Edmonton.
In the quiet hamlet of Bellis, Alberta, nestled about 125 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, a near-century-old Ukrainian Orthodox church stood as a testament to the community's history and faith. Today, all that remains is a charred foundation and a heap of blackened rubble, the tragic result of a fire that the RCMP have linked to a crime spree involving vehicle thefts and a dramatic police chase.
The All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church was more than just a building to the locals. For Annette Flack, the church's secretary-treasurer since 1989, it was a cornerstone of her family's life. Her four children were baptized there, and her 86-year-old mother, the parish's oldest member, sang at countless weddings, funerals, and baptisms. "The church was and is my mom’s life," Flack lamented, "and for them to take that from her, I think, hurts more than anything that anybody could have done to our family."
The fire erupted in the early hours of September 21, following a series of events that began with reports of vehicle thefts in the area. RCMP officers, responding to these reports, encountered the suspects driving erratically in two separate vehicles. A high-stakes chase ensued, with one vehicle ramming a police car and the suspects deploying bear spray in a bid to escape. Eventually, police dogs and drones helped apprehend three suspects, including a minor whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The suspects, Sandy Dawn Marie White, 23, and Lazare Favel, 26, both from Saddle Lake First Nation, face a litany of charges. These include arson, break and enter, and mischief to cultural property, among others. The RCMP believe at least one more suspect is still at large.
Fire investigators from Firestorm determined that an accelerant was likely used to ignite the blaze that consumed the church. Items recovered from the suspect vehicle, such as candelabras and crucifixes, linked the individuals to the arson. The stolen items were returned to the parish, but as Flack poignantly noted, "Our church has been reduced to four little bins."
The destruction of the church is a significant loss for the small congregation of about 15 active members. Despite its size, the church has been a vibrant part of the community, hosting services, fundraising suppers, and carolling events during Ukrainian Christmas. Flack expressed uncertainty about the future of their parish, though she remains hopeful they might continue to hold services in the community hall.
Sgt. Anita Doktor of the Smoky Lake RCMP expressed her dismay at the loss of such a historic building. "We believe in preserving our history, no matter what our beliefs are," she said, emphasizing that such acts of destruction should not occur within communities.
The incident in Bellis is part of a broader pattern of increased crime in the region, with rising incidents of vehicle thefts and break-ins. The RCMP continue to investigate and are seeking any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of additional suspects.
As the community grapples with the loss of its beloved church, the resilience and spirit of its members remain unshaken. The memory of the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church will endure, even as its physical presence has been reduced to ashes.
