How were the Mount Saint Francis lands acquired?

The lands were first purchased from Harry and Marie McConachie in 1949 by Les Syndics Apostoliques des Frères Mineurs ou Franciscains (that is, the Apostolic Trustees).  Because the Federal Government did not recognize the Quebec Corporation of Apostolic Trustees in 1949, the property was held in trust for the Franciscans, for a short time, by Mr. Claire Côté, the Franciscan’s realtor and agent, and the Bishop of Calgary.  In 1952, when Les Syndics Apostoliques were legally recognized in all of Canada, the land became the official property of the Franciscans.