Since its opening on Good Friday of 1914, until its final resting on 145th Street and Stony Plain Road (the fourth site), St. Paul’s Anglican Church was literally a church “on the move”. The opening was one of the first official acts of Bishop Henry Allen Gray following his election as bishop of the newly constituted Diocese of Edmonton.
St. Paul’s was originally located south of the ravine at 147th Street and 98th Avenue and was a mission of Christ Church. In 1922, it was moved to 144th Street and Summit Drive. In 1935, it underwent a change of name. It was originally named St. John the Divine (at the request of an anonymous donor in England). The change of name was necessary because of a second Anglican Church named St. John the Evangelist and it was a cause for confusion to both the diocese and the city.
The old church was wood frame construction with no insulation and single flooring. There were no storm windows and the structure was only set on a wooden frame (therefore there was no basement). It was heated by two large pot-bellied coal and wood heaters and, in cold weather, a devoted parishioner was required to go over several hours before the church was to be used to start the fires in order to heat the large building. Even then, it was not warm and long-johns, boots and coats were commonly worn (and necessary) during the service.
As there was no water in the church, it had to be brought from next door for teas and cleaning. Water was heated on a three-burner coal oil stove.
A Women’s Guild was formed in September of 1916 for “the care of the church building, working towards beautifying it and making its equipment more complete, and to take care of social work including visitation of the sick and the development of a Sunday School”. While some of these objectives were undoubtedly achieved, the main objective of the Women’s Guild was to supply parcels of clothing, food, etc., to the Stoney Point School at Fort Vermillion. Later, there were active afternoon and evening branches of the W.A. (later the A.C.W.). Until the 1950’s, the W.A. through their teas and bazaars helped in keeping the church open, especially during the 1920’s and 1930’s when money was very scarce.
For many years it was the only church in the new district of scattered homes in Jasper Place (now known as Crestwood) and served the community in many ways. The church was also attended by members of other Christian faiths. The building was not consecrated; it was also used as a parish hall and for community gatherings. It served as Scout headquarters and the location of ratepayer’s meetings as well as for concerts and socials. Meetings which led to the formation of the first Edmonton community league (The 142nd Street and District Community League and later known as Jasper Place) in 1917 were held at the church. The community accepted the responsibility for finishing the interior, which was completed after the building was moved in 1922 to Summit Drive and 144th Street where a bridge across the ravine was located. I addition to the Sunday services and Sunday School, usually before the service, there were many exciting and enjoyable occasions held in the church building as it was the center of activity in the district.
Dirt roads, which were muddy during rain or in spring-thaw, were the accepted norm at the time as were trails across the fields, plus some wooden sidewalks which were used for walking on to church. A mile or more to walk to church was not unusual, and early rectors walked from the end of the street car line on 142nd Street and Stony Plain Road. Cars were not used as most people did not own one.
The move in 1936 to 151st Street north of Stony Plain Road (approximately where the Jasper Place Police Station is now located) and outside the then city limits at 149th Street, was planned and arranged by Bishop Burgett and Rector Rev. Christopher Storey and paid for by the diocese. The move was undertaken in January by five or six teams of horses with the building itself resting on sleighs. However, neither of these gentlemen thought to inform the congregation of the move, and when they arrived at the accustomed location on Sunday morning, there was great dismay. What had happened? Who had stolen the church and where had they taken it? Something that size simply couldn’t have disappeared. The church had again been taken to the people as the area expanded and more people now lived north of the ravine and to the west.
During the period at this location, an old store was purchased and moved onto the property to be used as a hall. This was a great improvement! At this time, a rectory was also built on the property during the incumbency of the Rev. George Schultz. The neighborhood was building up and the church no longer served the community as it had in the past, but the hall was utilized for Sunday School, active W.A., A.Y.P.A., Cubs, Scouts and Brownie groups. A Sunday School with approximately 75 children of all faiths (including Greek and Roman Catholic) flourished. While there was still no gas on the premises, the addition of the hall now meant the church could have a coal and wood stove so that not only teas, but also dinners for special occasions, could now be prepared and served by the W.A.
All clergy served at least two or three parishes, either all inside the city or including such points as Bon Accord and Fort Saskatchewan or Leduc and Millet. Communion service was probably only once a month. On occasions in very cold weather when only a handful of parishioners were in attendance for a Sunday service and huddled around a heater for warmth, they remembered Jesus’ words: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them…” and knew that indeed he was there.
In 1945, the old building (minus its tower) moved back again into the city and came to rest where our parking lot is now located. It served the congregation as both church and hall until 1950 when the present church was opened. The old church now officially became the hall.
St. Paul’s is well named. Like the Apostle Paul, it has journeyed much and had many adventures. Also like St. Paul, it has many missionary accomplishments, one being the opening of a new mission church of St. Barnabas, in the 1940s and has achieved much in the name of the Lord. Thousands of children have passed through the Sunday School, many have become confirmed in the faith, some have gone on to ministry or to the mission field, and a very few of the original congregation bear witness to battles won against many discouragements.
In 1949, it was decided a larger church was required. Rector Rev. George Kelly arranged with the parishioner Cyril Jones to bring in his bulldozer for a few days (at no charge!) to clear the lot and dig the basement. Rev. Kelly then rushed to get Mr. Nielson to survey the land before the bulldozer arrived. Work began without a building permit, with no license to bring the bulldozer to the city, with no blueprints, with no contractor and with no workers. City Hall was not pleased! Arnold Walker filled the role of contractor (which was very handy as he lived across the road) and other male parishioners offered their services and tools. Every evening, there was the sound of hammers and saws, and the few who could work days also came out. Most didn’t know their talents until they tried their hand at it. Scaffolding was provided by the Provincial Government and many other needs were wangled for free. The frame was completely enclosed before winter set in, and the interior completed over the winter. Women of the congregation helped to keep the men’s strength up with food and copious cups of coffee. This was a time of fellowship for all concerned and the church flourished.
The last service in the old church was on Good Friday, 1950 and Mrs. Isabel Johnson, a long time member, described it as the most memorable service she had ever attended: “The men had been working in the new church and when the time for the service approached, they put down their tools and came in quietly. Unpretentious it was simple, prayers, a few words from the rector, but there seemed to be among us that day a real Presence. I like to think that he, who was once a carpenter of Nazareth, looked down with special kindness upon that little group who were building a church in which to fittingly worship him”. Many others felt the same way. Saturday was a busy day with finishing work, the laying of linoleum, painting and varnishing, the setting up of chairs and decorating… all done in time for a glorious Easter service in the new church.
The big old furnace in the new church was obtained from the prisoner-of-war-camp at Kananaskis (either wangled for free or obtained for a modest fee from the Federal Government) and with numerous repairs, lasted until the mid 1980s. In the years following the building of the new church, many memorials were given. One such memorial was a small electric organ paid by subscription by members which was placed in the church in memory of men of the parish who died in the Second World War, and a plaque bearing their names was placed on the rear wall. This organ remained until replaced by a pipe organ brought to Edmonton from Salem, Oregon in 1964. The balcony was built to house this organ and choir with pipe installed on the rear wall. The men of St. Paul’s were again in the building business, and many evenings were spent in erecting this organ.
This organ began to require numerous repairs and, although those doing the repairs were quite willing to continue to do so, it was decided in the late 1970s to replace it with the organ now in use.
The present parish hall (steel frame and concrete blocks) was built in 1960 at a cost of $35,000 and the old church was finally torn down to provide room for a parking lot. A number of “Old English Fairs” were held on the property to raise funds for improvements and young and old alike enjoyed the fun and games. With the new hall the church was able to hold twice yearly “Next-to-New Sales”. Goods began to arrive on Monday, four days prior to the sale. A roster ensured there were workers for the morning, afternoon and evening shifts until all was ready for opening Friday evening. Stand back or be trampled in the rush! This was a real ministry to parish members and surrounding communities in clothing for families and in toys or items for homes. Workers had the opportunity to pick out five items before the sale opened and many bargains were found.
Over the years, many concerts and pageants depicting the Christmas and Easter stories were presented with able directors and many helpers backstage or handling sound and lighting. In the late 1970s, the pageants were expanded to other themes (e.g. “When the Cock Crows”, “The Story of Peter”, and “In The Fullness of Time”) with words and music written by two members of the congregation. Several of these pageants have been presented in the Jubilee Auditorium and have also been produced by CFRN TV.
The gospel of Christ has always been preached and the love of our Lord Jesus evident in so many lives, but the arrival in 1971 of a new young rector – David Bloom along with his wife and five children brought many changes. David sometimes goofed while speaking and laughed nervously and the people laughed with him. It was so easy. He was human. No one had ever laughed before in church. There was something different about his preaching. Some were disturbed and uncomfortable, but to others he really seemed to believe, and he spoke so lovingly the name of Jesus that it seemed as though he were a personal friend. Sunday services were traditional prayer book services and very low-key. Wednesday evening Prayer and Praise services began with a few people, and gradually others came by word-of-mouth. Parishioners and visitors were encouraged to bring bibles, so old ones were dusted off or modern translations bought, and the word of God was studied each Wednesday. There was lots of singing of new songs and a deep faith was developing. People were reading and searching the scriptures for themselves, not only hearing the word each Sunday. God was moving in this place and many people were healed.
For the first time words such as “Praise the Lord”, “saved” and others were heard. This began to spill over to the Sunday service and particularly the young people were anxious to share their new-found faith in Jesus with others. Many old timers were upset by this enthusiasm and felt their faith was questioned or did not see the need for any change and some, after many years of faithful service, left the church, but membership increased as others arrived.
St. Paul’s was exploding in many directions as people were involved in ministry to others, frequently on a one-to-one basis. Men’s and women’s prayer groups, Bible studies and fellowship groups in homes sprang up. There were several honorary clergy assistants. The church was in renewal and the people were allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them in all they did; people felt a real commitment to the Lord Jesus.
The Rev. Peter Dyck and his family joined us in 1978. Peter was a Family Therapist as well as a minister from another denomination. He started a Sunday morning Bible study in the balcony before the 11 o’clock service, and was later taken on staff as a Family Therapist to those people who came from far and wide for counseling and inner healing.
A sense of mission became apparent and the realization that the church was not merely a building or an organization but the people came to the fore-front. As disciples, we were all to take our place, not only in spreading the good news but in ministry to others within the body of Christ. A number of well-known men, active in the renewal in the Anglican Church were invited to come to hold week-long services in the church, among them were Michael Harper and Colin Urquhart, and the church was packed with people of all Christian faiths. Instead of stressing differences, we realized we all shared the love of Jesus Christ and worshipped him together.
There were three services on Sunday morning plus the Wednesday service and it was difficult to get people to go home from the latter service until the rector turned off the lights at 10 p.m. (or later) so he could go home to his family. Indeed, minister’s wives are special women!
On the Rev. Tom Maxwell’s arrival in August 1982, he stressed that he was not the head of St. Paul’s, nor was the Bishop, but that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was the head. Rev. Maxwell stressed that his role was that of teacher and facilitator. His job was to teach us to teach other, and so on; he was a good teacher. He also taught about the communion service, baptismal and other services, explaining as he went along about the origin of our traditions.
In late 1983, it was the decision of the vestry to re-roof the church building which had long given concern because of the leaking due to the rotting of the underlay. With the help of a Federal Government grant, which paid for labor, and with the materials paid for by the church, this work was done during the winter. At the same time, work was done in the sanctuary and the chapel. A sound system was installed in the balcony and young people were taught how to operate it.
While Peter Dyck was assisting at services, he was encouraged by Rector Tom Maxwell to take the Anglican orders. Peter Dyck was being ordained as a deacon in 1983 and a priest in 1984. He now ministers in the parish of St. Andrew’s in Morinville and has his own Family Therapy Clinic.
In 1985, the need for an assistant or associate priest became necessary as Tom Maxwell was now Archdeacon of Yellowhead and busy with other duties besides the parish. A Scotsman by the name of the Rev. Jim Bell arrived with his wife and three boys, by way of Pond Inlet on Baffin Island. Jim was a dynamo and great with young people. He was instrumental in establishing a “College and Careers” group for young people. As St. Paul’s is blessed with an abundance of musicians, Jim started an instrumental and singing group named “The Mustard Seed”. After 2 ½ year, Jim received a call to serve at St. James in Calgary and left Edmonton in 1988.
After a short interval, we welcomed the Rev. Carol Canton with her husband Ray (who also has theological training and is of great assistance). Carol does counseling and works with the Sunday Celebrations teacher and the Pastoral care group. Together Ray and Carol work with home fellowship groups as well as take part in all services. Carol’s pleasant and quiet manner is very endearing and we enjoy having a woman’s point of view.
Over the years, a number of men and women of St. Paul’s have felt the call to ministry within the church and without – among them Canon Tom Teape who served in several Edmonton and district parishes and is now retired; Lynette Kent who served in northern BC and is now in Edmonton; Claude Mury, now a naval chaplain, and others now in missionary service. As well, there were lay members who started the St. Barnabas Society (now Refugee Society) which sponsors immigrants and those escaping from persecution in Third World Countries. The first refugees arrived in 1980 and are doing well. This society is supported by various churches throughout Alberta.
Jack and Joyce Tipping felt the call of the Lord to build a non-denomination retreat center on property they owned near Fort Assinaboine. After their retirement, they started the Angel’s Valley Retreat Centre with the help of many Christians who supplied materials and aided in construction. Dick and Marvel Furneaux later joined them. They have accommodation for up to 30 people and some St. Paul’s groups have held retreats there.
History to be continued...
Rectors of St. Paul’s
Rev. W.H. Davis 1914 – 1915 Rev. G.W. Finn 1915 – 1916 Rev. H. Alderwood 1916 – 1921 Rev. G. Bosing 1921 – 1924 Rev. S.F. Tackaberry 1924 – 1927 Rev. W. Leversedge 1928 – 1931 Rev. B. Gadser 1931 – 1933 Rev. G. Pratt & Rev. C. Storey 1933 – 1935 Rev. G. McComas 1936 – 1939 Rev. G.O. Shultz 1939 – 1940 Rev. A. Elliott 1941 – 1942 Rev. F. Baker 1942 – 1943 Rev. G.Y. Godkin 1946 – 1948 Rev. G. Kelley 1948 – 1954 Rev. G. Lang 1954 Rev. R.E. Smith 1958 – 1960 Rev. A. Wilcox 1962 – 1971 Rev. D. Bloom 1971 – 1982 Rev. T. Maxwell 1982 – 1995 Rev. P.M. Williamson 1995 to the present |
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Honorary Priests and Associate Rectors over the last forty years:
Rev. P. Heritage, Rev. K. Williams, Rev. J. Plambeck, Rev. P. Dyck, Rev. J. Bell, Rev. C. Canton, Rev. M. Williamson, Rev. D. Flummerfelt, Rev. R. Brandle, Rev. R. Dickson and Rev. L. Calkins |
