Whistler: In the heart of British Columbia’s iconic resort town of Whistler, where majestic snow-capped peaks greet millions of travelers each year, a Catholic revival is quietly taking shape. Our Lady of the Mountains Parish, the town’s only Catholic church, is nearing the grand unveiling of its renovated sanctuary a five-year, $6.7 million project that reflects not only architectural grace but also the unshakable faith of its community.
Once a modest multipurpose hall, the church is being transformed into a dedicated sacred space with the capacity to seat 500 faithful more than triple its previous size. Its soaring 40-foot timber-frame ceilings, choir loft, and richly symbolic sanctuary design mirror Whistler’s alpine character, evoking the feel of a traditional ski chalet while remaining distinctly reverent.
The project was born from what parish pastor Father Andrew L’Heureux described as “a dream” in 2020. That dream gained momentum thanks to parishioner Andy Szocs, who brought both vision and fundraising experience from restoring a centuries-old church in Hungary. Relying on divine guidance and an extensive donor network, Szocs spearheaded the drive that would eventually secure 90% of the project’s funding from outside the parish.
Faced with setbacks including inflation, design shifts, and unexpected soil conditions, the original $5.5 million budget swelled to $6.7 million. Still, the community’s faith did not waver. In a moment many parishioners are calling providential, a key donor and their partners stepped forward just last month to close the final financial gap.
The result is more than bricks and beams. With handcrafted sacred furnishings, a future plan for stained-glass windows and a pipe organ, and a spiritual ambiance shaped by Whistler’s natural beauty, the new church is being heralded as a beacon of evangelization in the region. Fr. L’Heureux describes the space as “a sign of hope, unity, and the bright future of our parish.”
Far from relying on bake sales or charity drives alone, Szocs’ strategic outreach attracted donors drawn not only by faith, but also by a deep affection for Whistler’s unique landscape. The slogan “If we build the church, they will come” proved prophetic with many contributing simply on the strength of that shared vision.
As October’s grand opening approaches, volunteers are busy painting, drywalling, and installing donated pews. Their collective effort is helping to establish the church not just as a local place of worship, but as a spiritual destination that could soon host Catholic retreats, conferences, and pilgrimages.
In this new sanctuary, the community sees more than a structure. They see testimony to resilience, to prayer in action, and to the belief that God meets us when we step forward in faith and do the work with Him. As Szocs puts it, “Pray like everything depends on God, and act like everything depends on you.”