Grace United Church - History

In 1904 the log church for the Anglicans was filled to capacity. At this time the congregations of Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists began meeting in the Immigration Hall in the Barr Colony settlement known as Lloydminster until 1906 when a church could be built.

During the ministry of Rev. Naylor the first Methodist Church was built in 1906. The small church known as the Wesleyan Church was built on the site of the current sanctuary. The ‘little white church’ as it was fondly called was unique in that it had a sloping floor and plaster finished walls, both of which were unusual for the time. In 1920 almost 15 years later the name ‘Grace Church’ was applied , and lastly to Grace United Church on March 8, 1925.

By 1949 the basement of what is now the church hall was completed to accommodate the growing congregation. The upper hall was completed and dedicated in March 1950.

Between 1957 and 2018 the church underwent a large rebuild and several renovations.

In 1925 after Union, the Methodist church became the United Church. While some local Presbyterian congregations joined with the Methodist congregation at Union, Knox Presbyterian Church did not join Union and continues to worship to this day in a downtown location.In 1949 the original 1906 church was demolished and the basement constructed for a new church. The congregation worshipped in this basement until money was raised to complete the new church one year later.

In 1950 the new church was completed and its main floor is the current Upper Hall. A $140,000 construction project in 1961 added several interior spaces including the current sanctuary, kitchen, balcony, a portion of the current narthex, meeting room and office space. In addition in 1981 additional office space and a three-storey addition at the rear of the property were added to provide a choir room and space for the Sunday School program. Some modifications were also made to the front of the sanctuary, to accommodate the Joy Singers and a larger choir.

In 1993 Minister Emeritus Martin led a project to raise funds to purchase a new Whirlitzer organ and in 1995 a new roofline was added to the exterior

Between 2001 and 2004 there were several updates including a stained glass window (2001), which was gifted to the church from the Hemstock family. The following year a new sound system was installed, and in 2004  water leaks prompted re-roofing in parts of the exterior.

The Property and Maintenance Committee prepared a written report in 2008 for Central Board in which it detailed building deficiencies and asked for its guidance on either repairs, renovation ,or constructing of a new building. At the Annual Meeting in 2009, the building committee was redefined as the“Options for the Future Committee” and was asked to explore all building options.  During its work, the committee identified a potential asbestos problem. In July 2009 an environmental consulting firm confirmed that there were building materials in the facility that contained asbestos. As these materials would need to be removed before renovation or demolition could occur, the congregation decided to have the material removed as soon as possible. During October 2009 the church facility was vacated for several weeks to allow asbestos removal. Worship services were held in the Legacy Centre while offices were moved to a vacant building a block away.  The asbestos abatement program cost approximately $60,000.

In June 2010 the Options for the Future Committee presented its report to the congregation. It was decided by the congregation to not do a costly renovation to address the current deficiencies but instead pass a motion proposing the building of a new church (presuming it would be on a different site). In the winter of 2011 The Options for the Future Committee contracted with Bexson Construction to assist with cost and questions related to facility options. The consultants indicated that demolishing the current structure (except the sanctuary) and rebuilding on the current site was feasible.  During the Spring of 2011 The Options for the Future Committee outlined three options for the congregation to consider. The first option, to renovate the current structure for about $1M.  The second option to retain the current sanctuary and rebuild on the current site for about $2.7M - $3M. Or third, to build a new church on a new site for an estimated $5M. A congregation-wide information package was mailed to every family providing information in May in preparation for a congregational decision to be taken the upcoming June.

In June 2011 A congregation-wide telephone survey indicated that 54% of respondents favoured re-building the church on the current site. 24% favoured a new church location, and 23% favoured repairing the current structure. At the end of June  the congregation accepted the results of the survey and passed a motion that planning would focus on retaining the current sanctuary and the re-development on the current downtown property. Shortly after adjacent property for parking west of the current sanctuary became available and two families purchased it with the intent that it be donated to the church in the future.

In September of that year congregation leaders attended a workshop (Den Haan/Strickland) and learned about the importance of focusing on emotional and symbolic aspects of the church before detailed planning began.

On April 29, 2018 the congregation chose to be recognized as Affirming.

Our Trees

Our congregation often reflects on and finds inspiration in the image of the four-season tree, rooted in Grace, created by local artist Michelle Lake for our church logo. Not only do we find inspiration in the imagery but it reminds us that Grace United Church is full of the kind of people that plant trees. People that are invested in our community and spend time not only planting with the future in mind but also tending and fostering the growth of our community.

Our congregation is full of people who regularly step up to help and often lead the charge when it comes to community activities. Many of our members have been recognized as volunteers of the year, citizens of the year, coaches of the year, women of the year… not that they seek these accolades but rather they are just there simply doing the work.

Join us! Like planting trees, it’s the kind of commitment
that once made, is never regretted.