Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Jun/95

Contributor - Peter Dyksterhuis

Title - The Calgary Community Reformed Church

Topic - Reformed Church In Canada

It was 41 years ago that the Calgary Reformed Church had its beginnings. The first recorded meeting was on February 26, 1953 however, a small worship group had been active for some months prior to this. Many new families came to Calgary in 1953, and some attended the already existing Reformed Church in Bottrel. It was from this congregation that a core group was established to start the Calgary church. Reverend VanderWoulde from Bottrel served both congregations in the first few years.

Many new immigrants came into the area in the '50s and needed help finding housing and work. This kept Rev. VanderWoulde and the field man, Mr. H. Meulenbeld, very busy. By 1957, the congregation had seen steady growth, and a committee was formed to look for a building. In July of that year, the present church building was purchased from the Southminster United Church congregation, which was relocating to another part of the city. In the early 1960's, our congregation had grown to over 100 families, and we had 153 communicant members. Our Sunday School had an enrolment of about 114 children. During this period, the congregation was going through some troubled times. There were disagreements among some of the members, and due to discontent, a number of families left the church. This put a strain on the members who remained.

By 1970, the congregation showed some growth again, and it was decided that part of the building would be renovated to accommodate the Sunday School. During the '70s, we again saw a decline in members as a number of families moved away.

Through the '80s, the congregation stabilized somewhat and showed a slow but steady growth. At present, we are going through a time of change: we realize that we cannot stay the same as we have in the past. A committee of dedicated members was formed to examine the future of our congregation. With God's held. we will achieve our goals, and we must look to Him for guidance.

Looking back over the past 41 years, we have been blessed beyond measure, even in our troubled years. In order for our congregation to grow and survive, our young adults must get involved and take charge of the issues that affect the church today. What does the future hold in store for us? Whatever lies ahead, we are to be wholly dependent upon the guidance of God and His Spirit to move us to greater heights of bringing praise to our maker. As the Church of Jesus Christ, we must continue to depend upon the Lord of the Church. We know we must live in the expectancy of His coming again. Our purpose: to be built up into the maturity of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, walking in love with God and people. Praise be to God!

About Our Building

During the research for our 40th anniversary, we discovered a very interesting history about our building. It began in 1913 as the first Methodist Church in southwest Calgary. In 1915, a Presbyterian congregation began holding worship service in a cottage school in the area, and in 1918, the two congregations met together in the assembly hall of King Edward School for worship each Sunday. The school is located across the street from the present church. They chose the name South Calgary United Church; it was the very first United Church in Calgary. This is significant because it predated the forming of the United Church of Canada by seven years.

In 1923, the old Methodist church was moved to its present site. This was not an easy task as it was moved across the prairie attached to a windlass, powered by a team of horses. This became the front of the new church building, which cost $8,000 to build.' The newly formed United Church congregation worshipped in this building until 1957. In that same year, the Calgary Reformed Church congregation bought the property and later renamed it the Calgary Community Reformed Church.

What a story this building could tell. It has served so many people for so long in the name of Christ to the glory of God, and the best is yet to come!

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