GULL LAKE (Qu’A) — St. John the Baptist Anglican Church served Gull Lake and area for more than a century before it was deconsecrated Dec. 4, 2024. The first Anglican services in the town were held in private homes, beginning in 1909. The church was built on Rutland Avenue in 1912, with the first addition 14 years later.
The most significant change w
as in 1984, when the building was jacked up and a proper basement was added, with a kitchen, hall, two washrooms and two staircases, in addition to the furnace area and storage room. Above ground, an addition expanded the floorplan and created a new entryway. At the same time, new siding was put on the whole building.
Many clergy served St. John over the years, including several who later became well known in the diocese and beyond. The late David Ashdown served Gull Lake before he became Bishop of Keewatin and Metropolitan of Rupert’s Land. The late Rev. Carol Adamson also served the parish early in her ministry, as did now Archdeacon Catherine Harper.
When the parish could no longer support a full-time priest, lay people led Sunday services, with visiting clergy conducting services approximately once a month. The last service in the building, before the deconsecration service, was March 1, 2020.
On Dec. 4, 2024, Bishop Helen Kennedy led mid-day prayers and included part of the liturgy for the Thanksgiving on the Anniversary of a Parish. Archdeacon Catherine Harper, Synod Office, and Rev. Jesse Miller of Maple Creek attended the service, along with clergy from other denominations in Gull Lake.
The former church building has been sold and is now an antique shop. The beautiful Hammond organ is still in the building.
Editor’s note: Thank you to Sheila Peters who provided much of the information for this article.
