The stories of the people who cleared the land, raised the money and erected the buildings are, in fact, the story of Alberta. Ukrainians, Norweians, Brits, Americans, eastern Canadians and others arrived with very little in the way of worldly goods to begin their new lives, but still managed to find the time, the money and the energy to build their houses of worship. Many Foundations tells their stories of good times and hard times, sad times and comical times.

Mary Oakwell was born in Surrey, England and emigrated to Canada in 1957. She has been working on a variety of writing projects and is the author of Tea Time in Alberta: a guide to 57 great tea houses from Grande Prairie to Waterton Lakes. When she’:s not writing, travelling around the province or taking history classes at the University of Alberta, she can be found at the top of a ladder with hammer or paintbrush in hand, renovating the home she shares with her daughter and their two cats.

Mary Oakwell's profile page

"Oakwell introduces each church in a brief, informative overview within the context of its community, and then delivers into the colourful anecdotes that make history really interesting."