What Happened to Our Trees?

Until recently, St PAUL's appeared to inhabit an artificial forest. Now the majestic trees are gone! What happened to them?

For decades our sanctuary in downtown Banff was surrounded by beautiful White Spruce trees. But they've been cut down. Compare this current photo of the church (looking north toward Cascade Mountain) with hundreds of pictures you can find on the Internet and social media, or with the famous painting by David Brown on our Home Page. See the difference? 

We really miss those beautiful trees, but their removal in April, 2025, was an act of stewardship. If a horrific forest fire, like the one that decimated much of Jasper last summer, were to threaten Banff, the trees would capture flying embers and guide the destruction to St PAUL's and our neighbors. So, you can understand why we, in cooperation with Parks Canada and following guidelines from FireSmart Alberta, did the painful, but right thing, and cut them down.

Sometimes caring for God's world requires that we change our ways.

We're getting used to the 'new look'.  Meanwhile, we are working with Parks Canada to replant the landscape with native deciduous trees and shrubs. Stay tuned!