History

History of the Church 1927 to Current Day

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church was originally built in 1927 and moved to its current day location in 1945. The Grotto was added in 1962 and a Cairn was erected to honor the settlers of Courval in 1964. An updated cut stone finish was added to the Grotto in 1968. The last service in the Church was held in late August 1981. 

After being decommissioned as a church on November 27, 1981 the building continued to be cared for by the Courval Community Association and community members and was used for occasional community events over the years. 

The land and building was privately purchased in 2017. From 2017 to 2019 the grounds, Grotto and Chapel were cleaned up and reclaimed from Mother Nature. In 2020 a new roof was added, indoor renovations were started, a new fence was erected and a massive pond was dug. In 2021 we undertook a HUGE basement and foundation repair including steel bracing, new concrete floor and stairwell to ensure the building stands another 100 years. We also planted over 500 trees! 2022 to 2024 saw slow work on interior renovations, many, many more trees planted, yard work and certified trades work on new plumbing, heating and electrical. 2025 completed all the major renovation work and we are now focused on the finishing touches! 

Who are We?

Paul Marcil was born and raised in Courval. He married Evelyn Curtis, from Gravelbourg, in the Grotto in 1974. They raised two daughters Allison and Kristin who  each have children of their own. 

In 2016 while on "An Old Home Road Trip" the family discussed getting a small plot of land in Courval to reconnect to the area. A year later that small plot plan became the church and grounds!

Since 2017 we have used the land as a gathering place for family to camp and get away from our busy city lives. We have slowly worked to clean up damage inside the church, clean up the grounds and plant flowers. 

In 2020 Paul and Allison decided it was time to change lifestyles and live more closely to our values and wishes as a family. The idea for the Church and Café was born. Our hope is that this becomes a place of relaxation, refuge and beauty for our children and grandchildren as well as the surrounding community. 

What will the Church Café and Gallery be?

The vision is for the front of the building to be converted to a year-round fully- accessible home and creative space complete with indoor greenhouse/conservatory, art studio, gallery and café. Our residence is onsite in the rear of the building. 

Care has been taken to plan for the building, residence and business to be environmentally friendly and all activities, including waste handling, operate on environmentally sound principles including reducing, reusing, recycling and up-cycling.

Café Offerings - The Vision

Tea, coffee, beverages 

Soup

Salad

Treats

Items change daily with seasonal availability. 

Food is raised or grown onsite or procured locally from farmers, ranchers and producers. It is prepared in a gluten-friendly kitchen and served in dishware made by hand by various Saskatchewan potters, woodworkers and glassworkers. 

Beverages are served in pre-loved tea cups/mugs, handmade pottery and upcycled glassware. You get to choose not only your beverage but also what it is served in!

Almost all items used for serving can be purchased. We anticipate serving-ware will change often as items are procured or created.

All our café furniture has been created or repurposed from items left behind when the church closed. 

Cash or debit are accepted. We are not a licensed facility.

Other Opportunities - The Vision

Art Classes

Art Classes will be offered periodically and private opportunities can be arranged in a variety of mediums for both individuals and groups. Adults and children are welcome. Art mediums include; paint pouring, epoxy resin, jewelry making, modeling clay, pan pastels, alcohol ink, clay and glassworks. 

If you are interested in discussing teaching opportunities please contact Allison via email at thechurchcafeandgallery@gmail.com or via our Instagram or Facebook pages. 

Retreats and Rentals

 Artist retreats can be arranged via both rental or barter agreements. 

Location rentals, including the outdoor grotto area and café for small events or weddings can be arranged.

Memory Gardens

The area around the Grotto includes a memory orchard and gardens where trees can be purchased in honour of loved ones. Each tree will have a permanent plaque placed in commemoration of the loved one(s). 

Food Forest

The outdoor portion of property is being converted to permaculture food forests and annual gardens. Plantings will include various flowers, hazelnuts, apples, pears, plums, nectarines, apples, cherry, haskaps, strawberries, grapes, gooseberries, chives, cornflowers, rhubarb, garlic, mint, wild rose, borage, lovage, amaranth, bee balm and various root vegetables. We will have a stocked pond as well as chickens and bees to round out our food sustainability. Eventually we hope to produce enough from our land to provide for sale as well via subscription boxes. 

Plots can be also be sponsored in honour of loved ones and permanent plaques will be placed in commemoration of the loved one(s).