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Please call Vintage Petals Tea House (780) 939-3709 to arrange a Group Tour consisting of lunch and a guided tour of St. Jean Baptise Church, with a visit to The Morinville Museum.
Pick up your self-guided tour booklet of the many heritage homes in the Town of Morinville at Vintage Petals Tea House. These houses have historical significance and this is indicated with a short write-up with each building's picture.
Heppler Residence
Now
Vintage Petals Tea House Tea House
A quarter section of land was first deeded to Father Jean Baptiste Morin in 1895 by the Dominion of Canada. This was before we were a province. It passed between Catholic dioceses, was subdivided and then Lot “A” was sold to a farmer by the name of Francois Fortier. (1912) The next title is to Elodie Fortier a married woman in the year (1916) who was from Hay Lakes. No indication as to whether this was his wife or daughter.
The next title indicates that the land belonged to Celestine Desautels in 1922. Rumours have it that she tried to sell the house with no success and attempted to burn it down. The fire was started in the attic (why there shows no logic). Joseph Heppler, a well-known business man, town auditor, realtor, and a dabbler in politics felt sorry for Ms Desautels and purchased the land from her.
Mr. Heppler completed renovations by bowing out the front windows and attaching a brick facade to the building. It previously had wood siding and probably still does beneath the bricks. At the age of 54 he married Mary Juchmes and moved to this location. They had four children Walter, Rosemary, Dorothy and Cecilia. Walter was assistant superintendent of schools for Sturgeon School Division, Rosemary died in her teens from Typhoid fever, and Dorothy contracted polio. The room where the teas are located was renovated so that she would have round the clock nursing care. Cecilia has returned to Morinville and is active with the genealogy program at the library.
Many people come to the house and fondly mention that they remember visiting the Hepplers.
The house was rented out and then finally sold to a business. Once again it changed hands with a different landlord. We decided to rent the house and turn it into a Tea House. Dorothy Heppler had wanted something similar to this. It was unfortunate that she died shortly after we opened but we believe that her spirit lingers along with that of her father. Mysterious disappearances have occurred in this house – but we won’t go there - until our Mystery Night Tea.
St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church
This landmark in the town of Morinville is the first historical building to be designated as such along with the Convent just behind it. Visits to the interior of the church can be arranged as a group tour by phoning Vintage Petals Tea House for the tour guide to be available. There is a nominal charge to cover the guide's time.
Day trips are also very popular and include a visit to the local museum, lunch at Vintage Petals Tea House , and then an informative tour of the St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church.
Please phone for bookings. (780) 939-3709
The pricing varies according to activites and lunch choices.
For more Morinville and Alberta history, visit the Musée Morinville Museum website.
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