Ret. Rev. Michael Hawkins delivers the sermon at a service marking the 150th anniversary of the consecration of Rev. John McLean. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

milestone anniversary

First Anglican Bishop of Saskatchewan honoured at service in P.A.

May 5, 2024 | 2:00 PM

As the clock struck 7 p.m. on May 3, 2024, the bells at St. Alban’s Cathedral chimed to mark a momentous anniversary in the history of the Anglican Church.

On that day in 1874, the first Bishop for the Anglican Diocese of Saskatchewan, Rev. John McLean was consecrated. The following year, he would take up residence in Prince Albert.

On Friday night, a special service was held to mark the 150^th anniversary of the consecration at St. Alban’s. The service was overseen by Rev. David Butorac of St. Alban’s, Rev. Michael Hawkins, the retired 12^th Bishop of the Diocese, Rev. Adam Halkett, Bishop of Missinipi, and Archdeacon Andrew Hoskin.

Hoskin told paNOW after the ceremony why it was important to mark this occasion.

“We didn’t want this date to pass by without it being celebrated and to just give thanks to God for the beginnings of this Diocese,” he said. “John McLean was the first Bishop and so things began with him.”

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Originally, the Diocese of Saskatchewan included most of the south and north-central parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and a small portion of northern Manitoba.

“When he came here, there was one priest, one Deacon, an Indigenous Deacon and one mission person,” said Hoskin.

In 1888, the Diocese of Calgary was formed with the Diocese of Edmonton being formed a short in 1913. Saskatchewan gave up the last of its Alberta and Manitoba in 1927 and 1933.

In that year, the Diocese of Saskatchewan split into a northern part, based in Prince Albert, and the Diocese of Saskatoon.

While visiting his mission team in Edmonton, McLean was seriously injured and endeavored to make the long trek back to Prince Albert. McLean was already suffering from Bright’s disease at the time of the injury. He eventually reached P.A. after travelling along the North Saskatchewan River but died on No. 7, 1886.

During his tenure as Bishop, McLean founded Emmanuel College, in 1879, which was also known as the Indian Boys Industrial School and established as a training college for Native Helpers. The College moved to Saskatoon in 1909 where the University of Saskatchewan was created.

“His vision was the education of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people at that level,” said Hoskin who added that post-secondary education still exists in the Diocese today with non-Indigenous and Indigenous congregations throughout the Diocese.

When it comes to the legacy that McLean has left in Prince Albert and beyond, Hoskin said that the fact the Diocese still stands is the biggest example of that legacy.

“Here we are in eight days going to elect the 13th Bishop of Saskatchewan,” he said. “He (McLean) was the first and we’re about to elect the 13th.”

Five candidates are in the running to be elected Bishop with the vote taking place May 11^th.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com