Fort McPherson St. Matthews Anglican Church

The Anglican Missionaries first arrived in Fort McPherson back in 1860. Gwich'in soon played a prominent role in the church. Edward Sittinchinli was the first Gwich'in minister. James Simon and Richard Martin also were ordained and served communities in the Mackenzie Delta and the Yukon.

The Anglican Church was renovated back in 1996-1997. The renovation was for the Sunday School students and also for the Church. It was also used for some Chief Julius students when the school was under construction. Today, it is used for the Aboriginal Head Start Program. That program is with students 4-5 years of age.

Archdeacon Robert MacDonald, translated the Anglican Book of Prayer into the Gwich'in language. The Church played a strong role in teaching people how to read both English and Gwich'in. Until a school was opened in Fort McPherson, many children were sent to the Anglican School in Hay River, NT.

In the early 1900's, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police made routine trips between Fort McPherson, NT and Dawson City, YT to carry mail. In 1911, the group led by Inspector Fitzgerald traveled without a local guide, and they never made it back to Dawson City, YT. Corporal Dempster, guided by Charlie Stewart, left Dawson in search. As they neared Fort McPherson, they found the bodies of the Lost Patrol in two different locations. They had become lost in the bitter cold, and succumbed to starvation and scurvy. The story of the Lost Patrol shows the dangers of traveling on the many river channels without a knowledgeable guide.