Several Franco-Catholic missions were established from the 1840s to the 1880s. A mission typically consisted of a church and parish, after which a school was often introduced. In a few examples, a hospital, orphanage, or even a nursing home for the elderly has been opened. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate founded the missions established after 1847, but they relied heavily on French-based religious orders such as the Grey Nuns, the Sisters of the Assumption, the Sisters of Charity of Notre Dame d’Evron, the Faithful Companions of Jesus and the Daughters of the Cross to succeed. These missions formed the basis of Métis and Francophone communities from that time onwards, such as St. Albert, St. Paul and Lac La Biche, to name a few examples.
