Visit
UnknownEagle Mountain, ON P0T 1K0About
Summary
St. Sylvester’s Church is a historic Roman Catholic church built in 1877 and located in Nipigon, Ontario, overlooking Lake Helen. It is known for its beautifully maintained cemetery, which has been in use since 1880 and may still be active, as well as hiking trails and a unique bell-ringing experience. Learn more.
Details
St. Sylvester’s Church is a historic Roman Catholic church built in 1877 and located in Nipigon, Ontario, overlooking Lake Helen. The church is part of a larger historical site that includes a cemetery, where the first recorded burial took place on October 3, 1880, and the cemetery is noted for its historical and aesthetic value. The site also features hiking trails and a fire pit with benches, offering visitors a blend of natural and cultural exploration. A notable attraction is the opportunity to ring the church bell, accessible via a rope, which adds to the site's charm and historical engagement.
From Faith Near Me
St. Sylvester’s Church offers a serene, historic setting in Nipigon, Ontario, where visitors can explore a well-preserved 1877 Roman Catholic church, a century-old cemetery, and scenic hiking trails. The site’s charm lies in its blend of natural beauty and historical engagement, from the lakeview location to the hands-on bell-ringing experience. A generally welcoming atmosphere emerges through visitors’ appreciation for its quiet character and unique details.
Pros
- Historic 1877 church with a maintained cemetery dating to 1880
- Scenic hiking trails and a fire pit for outdoor relaxation
- Unique bell-ringing experience adds interactive historical engagement
- Tranquil lakeside location fosters a peaceful visit
- Positive visitor sentiment highlights charm and accessibility
Cons
- Thin website provides limited details about services or community activities
- Some visitor comments note structural deterioration over time
- Seasonal accessibility or maintenance issues may affect visit experience
- Unclear guidance on community interaction during site visits
Reviews from around the web
Public comments we collected from listing sources. Not written on Faith Near Me.
- Kaiya H5 years ago
A beautiful old church and accompanying severely damaged priests home that holds a lot of history. The priests home has an old cast iron stove and a lot of decay. There is some signage around stating that the church was built in 1878, and the first recorded burial in the cemetery is October 3 1880. It is clear that the cemetery is maintained and possibly still used? A lot of items and features are there that wouldn't survive winter months. The best part about this old church is being able to ring the bell! Very fun, I am so glad there was a rope! The intention was to follow the hiking trail listed on the Superior Hiking Website, however it was very difficult to find. We were able to find the path but not quite sure where it starts to scale up the cliffs, and we weren't able to find the supposed benches along the way.
- Bride of Valentine7 years ago
Very unique quaint church and cemetery! Quick walk to the beach at lake Helen . My family are cemetery connoisseurs and this is definitely one of the top 5 most interesting cemeteries we've ever seen.
- Patrick Liscomba year ago
Beautiful location, love the history of this Church. Honk as you drive by for safe travels.
- b dunna year ago
Beautiful church and unique cemetary on the banks of the lake.
- Gordon Gunn6 years ago
Have went by and stopped and taken many pictures of this church on my yearly trip to Alberta just a shame that over the years it has been deteriorated the update has not been done so sad cuz it's a beautiful Church along the lake there
- RoyalView Xray3 years ago
Love the moon of this church. At night i swear it looks haunted
- Peggy Jacques4 years ago
Passed by it a 1000 times its so cute! Just such a peaceful spot
- Leo Bailey6 years ago
Rang the bell and a guy shows up and ask if we called him ?he wasn't friendly
- K6 years ago
Whoever put that huge sign on the front needs a flick on the forehead.
- Andy Thind6 years ago
😍😍😍 …
Services and facilities
Facilities
- Cemetery
- Hiking Trail
- Fire Pit With Benches