130th Anniversary celebrations held at Pincher Creek's United Church

Bradin gives his brother Parker a ride through the silent auction
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas

Pincher Creek's United Church held their 130th anniversary celebration and dinner in the church on Sunday, November 1.  There was a huge silent auction that was held upstairs, the lounge was open for children to play in, and the meal and programme was held downstairs.  Approximately 160 people attended, and everyone was welcome.  There was a lot of praise for the meal, and Rev. Brent Woodard thanked everyone for coming.  "It may be winter outside, but we have fall in here," he said, showing appreciation for the decorations that adorned the room.  "To have a fall supper in a church basement is a time-honoured tradition."

Jean Murray acted as the MC and everyone was invited to sing the hymns, followed by a performance by the Mountain Fiddlers, including Mary Cote, Anne Elle, Korolla Michalsky and Caroline Johnson.  They invited Brent Woodard to perform along with them, adding to the festivities.

Caroline Johnston had assembled a number of historical tidbits, creating a timeline that stretched from 1884 to the present day, a delightful part of the evening. 

  

 MOMENTS IN TIME – 2014  
Presented by Caroline Johnson and Gayle Stephen
*Corrected for accuracy

1884 - It all began when a non-denominational Sunday School was organized by Mrs. Morden, Mrs. Willock and Mrs. Ives. Classes were held in the log school house. The first services of the Presbyterian Church were In the same building later in the fall with the sacraments administered by a visiting minister. John Kettles, the first baby born to one of the  newly settled families in Pincher Creek, was baptized.
Read Christmas, 1884 – the population of Pincher Creek and area was around 250 people.

1894 – both the Presbyterians and the Methodists had their own churches and ministers. The Presbyterian church was on this property, the Methodist building is now the Lions Den.

1904 – the Fishburn Church was built, serving Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist families. The same year a Presbyterian Church was built in Cowley right beside the Methodist church. The 2 groups held services on alternate Sundays.

1914 – Rev. Lyttle was the Methodist Minister and Rev. Wright the Presbyterian. From the Echo – Charles Kettles, who has been contented, up to now, to do his travelling by horseback, has purchased a new Ford car. The purchase of roosters by 2 local grocery owners was also recorded. Canada entered Word War in August of 1914. Names of men who served are on plaques located behind the main doors of our sanctuary.

1924 – The Presbyterian and Methodist people united in 1917. Services were held in the Presbyterian Church which was on this church property. By 1924 the church was becoming too crowded and plans were being drawn up for a new building. More about this next year! From the Echo – Wm Bratz, R. Schoening, E Steinke and T Sorge purchased new tractors. Births– Jean Thomas, Irene Campbell, Marjorie Kwalchuk and Isabelle Gillespie.

1934 – We have now been the United Church of Canada for 9 years.

1944 – Rev. John Goddard became our minister. He and his family were here for 6 years.

Canyon Church Camp opened. The only building was the main lodge. Campers slept in tents. Our 1924 babies, Irene and Isabelle, Marjorie and Jean are now 20 year old young women with teaching careers ahead of them.

1954 – Our minister was the Rev. Bert Moriartey. The men in the church started an A.O.T.S group – As One That Serves. It was similar to today’s Men’s Breakfast Club. A book on the history of our congregation and church was compiled in honor of our 70th Anniversary. Our carillon was donated by the George Marcellus family.

The Easter Services were held on April 18th. During the morning service the Junior Choir sang 5 anthems, and at the evening service there were 3 Senior choir anthems, solos by Ken McDowall and Freda Bundy, a ladies quartet and a violin solo played by Mr. Ernest Cridland accompanied by Miss J Bechtel at piano and Mrs. Freebairn at the organ. The announcements in the bulletin were interesting. The young Peoples group met on Sunday, Monday was Junior Choir after school and CGIT in the evening. Wednesday Mission Band was at 4.00, Explorers at 7.00, Senior Choir at 7.30 and the Adult Bible Class at 8.00. Thursday was Women’s Association day. The Tea table and sewing group met on the 1st Thursday afternoon, The Women’s Missionary Society on the 2nd Thursday, The Bake table group on the 3rd Thursday and the 4th Thursday was general meeting day.

The Young People’s Group put on a play titled Take Your Medicine. Cast members were Richard McDowall, Shirley McKinnon, Larry Dwyer, Alice Stafford, Ruth Watson, Sharon Bratz, Caroline Boyden, Johnny Parkin, Carole Zoetman, Ted Watson, and Janice Zoetman. The director was Dr. Bryant.
Jackie Bechtal and Alyre Terriault were married.

1964 – Rev. Wally Dormer was replaced by Reverend Larry Edwards
Both the male and female choruses from the United Church placed first at the CNP music festival. From the Echo – Marion Hodgson, along with Bonnie Jenkins and Marlene Kemp enrolled in the field of nursing. And the Eugene Becker Rink won the Farmer’s Bonspeil. Also on the team were Mel Holtman, Bob Toney, Charles Holtman and Allan Reed. The population of Pincher Creek was 3,051

1974 – Rev. Bob Putman left us and Rev. Jim Henning came. He was with us for 15 years.
The Mountain Mill congregation celebrated their 68th Anniversary. At a U C.W. meeting Elva McClelland was presented with a U.C.W. spoon in recognition of her many years of faithful service to the group.
Donna and Chester Bieda were married.
Jean and Marjorie, Irene and Isabelle were now married ladies with last names we recognize, they had children, and were active members of our church.

1984 – Our Junior Choir won 2 trophies at the CNP Festival. Michael and Valerie Neumann were members of that choir, as well as Bonnie and Tim Opperman, and Shae Zukiwsky. The same year our Senior Choir sang at the Carol Festival. Their members were Bob Murfin, Carson Rine, Shirley Hinman, Kurt Johnson, John Olyslager, Ralph Cleland, Ellen Opperman, Irene Hollander, Jean Cleland, Rhonda Collins, Laurie Watson, Beryl Laatsch, Hannah Riley, Deanna Halvorson, Lila Mitchell and Lani Olyslager.

1994 – Rev. Joyce Sasse was with us from 1989 to 1996

The Music Committee organized a Talent Night. Numbers included committee members playing when the Saints Go Marching in with Bessie and Caroline on saxophones, Hilah Simmons on trombone and Helen McKenzie played the piano. Other numbers were the Senior Choir singing Wait for the Wagon, wearing hats and old fashioned dresses, Kay Sandford and Laurie Watson sang The Bells of St Mary’s, Jackie Terriault played her accordion.
Our 110th Anniversary Service was held on November 6th. Carlyn and Terry Lee lead the opening prayer, Jennifer and Marcia Murray were soloists with the Senior Choir, Rosalyn Jack honoured our seniors, Marilyn and Russell Lee read the scripture and special prayers were read by Isabelle Sproule.
Music leaders for the Cowboy Christmas Service were Audrey Jackson, Jackie Marsh, Kim Hardy, Rick Jack and Daryl Vance. Cowboy poet Don Wudel was also a special guest.
Births – Jasper Woodard

2004 – Brent and Sally Woodard and family had been with us for 4 years.
Al Dunlop and family moved to Calgary. – the beginning of our accessibility renovation.
The singing group known as “Thirty Something” sang at our talent show. Diana Smith was the leader.
Our Outdoor Service was held at the Cottonwood Campground
Jim Davison was named Volunteer of the year
Baptisms – Erica MacKenzie and Megan Sundberg
Wedding – Eva and Eldred

2014 – Rev. Brent Woodard and family have been with us for 14 years! Our 1924 babies – Isabelle and Irene, Marjorie and Jean had wonderful birthday celebrations this year with open houses and family gatherings that spread over several weeks. Congratulations to them, and to all of us on our 130th Anniversary.