Courtesy: CHAT Newsroom

By Angela Kazmierczak

Minister of St. John’s Presbyterian Church reflects on history ahead of the church’s 140th anniversary

May 9, 2023 | 5:13 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat’s St. John’s Presbyterian Church is celebrating 140 years.

The congregation will be marking this milestone throughout the year, but church members are also taking time to reflect on the past, present and future.

“It’s a milestone that not a lot of congregations reach to be honest. It speaks of a long history of faithfulness through a long series of historical challenges, societal challenges, two world wars, a depression and all of the social changes in the ’60s,” said Minister Jeff Lackie.

With the church’s long-standing role in the community, Minister Lackie is spending his time studying and sharing the church’s history through the newsletter.

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It has also led to him reflecting on the church’s role today.

“To know that we’re part of that continuing story of whatever else is happening in the world, we’re the church here and how do we express that? It’s a really comforting, encouraging and challenging thing – because now the challenge is, how do we keep expressing that?” said Minister Lackie.

Overall, he says this year’s milestone speaks to more than a moment of celebration or the building – it’s about years of teaching and sharing the Christian message.

In honour of the clergy and the service of church members, Bill Cocks, the chairman of the anniversary committee, says a series of celebrations will happen throughout 2023, from a banquet and high tea to the sharing of historical artifacts.

Still, the congregation is looking ahead to the next decade and half-century and how the church will continue serving the downtown area. Minister Lackie also says it’s of importance that the church continues contributing to conversations in the community, as in the past.