BATTLEFORD (S’toon) — On Oct. 5, Battle River Parish (St. George’s, Battleford and St. Paul’s, North Battleford) held a special 25th anniversary service to commemorate the construction of a “new” church for St. George’s in Battleford.
We were honoured to have the recently elected Bishop Chad McCharles in attendance to lead the service. A large gathering of church members, friends and supporters filled the church to capacity in honour of the occasion. As noted by Rev. Trevor Malyon, while we were celebrating 25 years in the “new” church, the Anglican ministry in the Battlefords has been in existence much longer, as ministry started in 1876.
Bishop McCharles, Rev. Trevor Malyon, Rev. Jan Trost and Habren Jones, crucifer and the Rev. Canon Neil Hanines participated in the service.
Bishop McCharles prayed: “Almighty God, we have heard your words to us in Holy Scripture and know your call to each of us. In every age you have spoken through the voices of prophets, pastors, and teachers. We give you thanks that over the years we have heard you speak to us through the preaching of your word in this place.
“Grant that those who preach in this place may proclaim the crucified and risen Christ with sensitivity and insight, that we may hear that word inwardly and response to it in all our life. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, your living word. Amen.”
The Rev. Canon Neil Haines, who was the rector at the time of the construction in 1999 to 2000, was in attendance and led the Prayers of the People: “For this place where we may be still and know that you are God, we thank you Lord.”
The flowers behind the altar were given to the greater glory of God and in memory of the Rev. Deacon Gordon Yarde.
Following a moving service, a potluck lunch was held in the church hall, where we enjoyed a wonderful meal, cake and time to visit and reconnect with friends and acquaintances.
In 1877, Bishop MacLean and Rev. MacKay held a service for construction workers who were building Government House; that was the beginning of Anglican services in the Battlefords. In June 1886, St. George Anglican Church was built for $2,200. The first service was held in the Gothic-style wood frame church on Oct. 10, 1886; the service was led by the first minster, Rev. Pritchard.
The St. George’s parish extended from Bresaylor to Saskatoon, a rather extensive area. St. George’s is the oldest congregation in the Diocese of Saskatoon.
The stained glass rose window was installed in 1893 and this window is still in the present St. George’s Church above the altar. At the same time, the Gothic windows were replaced with tri-coloured glass in memory of the first four bishops of the diocese, and these windows are still in use at St. George. In the early 1900s, a bell was sent to the church from friends in England and was placed at the entrance to the church grounds. The tower bell was removed during construction in 1999 and moved to the Battleford Fred Light Museum.
A couple of interesting side stories include the rector who walked from Winnipeg to work in the parish in Battleford. Also, of Rev. McKay who had to build his own house with his own axe.
In 1967, St. George’s was the centennial project of the Diocese of Saskatoon and was completely refurbished. The original pews and pipe organ were replaced. (The organ was originally purchased for $200 and was said to be the finest in the country.) A support beam was added to the church as well as insulation.
The large furnace, with one central floor grill, was replaced with a gas furnace and ducts, and a kitchen and bathrooms were built in the hall. The congregation must have enjoyed all these modern conveniences.
In 1977, St. George’s celebrated the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Anglican Parish in Battleford.
In 1999, the decision was made, for safety and health reasons, that the church had to be demolished, and a new church was built on the site. Twenty-five years, later this beautiful and fully accessible church continues, as part of Battle River Parish, to offer weekly Sunday services, Bible study and community outreach lead by incumbent, the Rev. Trevor Malyon and priest’s assistant, the Rev. Jan Trost.
